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Kustoff Votes to Keep Government Funded and Provide Relief to Those Most Affected During COVID-19

December 21, 2020

Washington, DC— Today, U.S. Representative David Kustoff (TN-08) issued the following statement following the passage of the Omnibus & COVID-19 Relief Deal in the House of Representatives.

"Congress has an obligation to help our country through this current pandemic. While our system is not perfect, this legislation funds important priorities that provide relief to West Tennessee businesses, healthcare workers, and struggling Americans. It extends the Paycheck Protection Program, helps schools reopen for in-person learning, and ensures our government stays fully funded and operational through September 30, 2021," said Rep. Kustoff. "I look forward to President Trump signing this legislation into law and giving our nation much-needed relief."

COVID Relief:

  • Extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and adds deductibility for PPP expenses
  • Gives businesses experiencing severe revenue reductions an opportunity to apply for a second draw PPP loan
  • $15 billion in funding for entertainment venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss
  • $20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it
  • Rescinds $429 billion in unused funds provided by the CARES Act for the Federal Reserve's emergency lending facilities and terminates these facilities to ensure that Democrats cannot use these funds to bail out poorly managed blue states
  • Stimulus checks -- $600 for both adults and dependents with safeguards to prohibit illegal aliens from receiving payment
  • Temporarily extends a number of unemployment programs created by CARES Act that expire Dec. 31, 2020
  • $10 billion for grants to childcare centers to help providers safely reopen
  • $4 billion for substance abuse – significant progress made over past several years on opioid addiction has been reversed because of impact of COVID lockdowns
  • $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning that also includes $2.75 billion in designated funds for private K through 12 education
  • $7 billion in broadband funding
  • $45 billion for transportation
  • $13 billion to support our farmers and agriculture sector.

Omnibus:

  • Provides our military with the resources to defend our nation and advance U.S. national security
  • Includes a 3% pay raise for the troops and provides the resources to continue rebuilding our military, deterring our adversaries, and defending our national security interests
  • $25 million and report language in Fish and Wildlife Service to control Asian carp, including $3 million for contract fishing.
  • $46.5 million in Fish and Wildlife Service for the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.
  • Provides the Trump Administration flexibility to build the wall and manage detention needs along the border
  • $1.375 billion in new funding for the wall and additional funding for border security technology and enforcement
  • Increases funding for House Republican priorities, such as continuing support for our law enforcement, NASA, maintaining our nuclear deterrent, and an all-of-the-above energy strategy
  • Preserves pro-life protections in current law
  • Language included regarding limitations on assistance for boycott, divestment, and sanctions
  • $484 million for the Department of Justice for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program.
  • $290 million of the Office of National Drug Control Policy High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.