LaHood Statement on Coronavirus
Relief Legislation—The CARES Act
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[April 13, 2020]
WASHINGTON,
D.C.– Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) released the following
statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act —Coronavirus
(COVID-19) relief legislation by voice vote. This is the third
legislative relief bill Congress has passed to deliver support for
states, small businesses, workers, and health care professionals on
the frontlines of the COVID-19 response.
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“Central and west-central Illinois are feeling the
impact of the COVD-19 outbreak, as schools close, business shut
down, our health care system feels strain, and people lose jobs.
This uncertain time requires Congress to take swift and decisive
action to support workers and families. The CARES Act will stabilize
an uneasy economy, put money in the hands of families and workers
who need it most, support Illinois’ unemployment program, and
deliver resources to health care workers and hospitals on the front
lines fighting to combat the coronavirus.
“While I have real concerns about some provisions in the bill, as
well as the massive amount of deficit spending, I am also worried
about delaying support for millions of hurting Americans and the
prospect of a costly recession for our country. No compromise is
perfect, and this pandemic requires each of us to put aside our
differences and provide relief for Illinoisans and Americans.
“The coronavirus presents our state and nation with a serious health
challenge, and like every obstacle we face, Americans are rising to
the occasion to combat this virus. That’s what we’re seeing in
central and west-central Illinois. The heroes among us—nurses,
doctors, health care workers, truck drivers, grocery store workers,
and pharmacy clerks—are stepping up to provide for our communities.
The CARES Act takes needed steps to support those heroes and
families during this time of crisis.”
The CARES Act included legislation authored by Congressman LaHood
that will reduce health care costs for patients and expand
affordable access to care. You can learn more about that bill here.
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The CARES Act will:
Provide direct cash payments of up to $1,200 for most individual
taxpayers and $2,400 for most married couples who file jointly.
Those amounts would increase by $500 for every eligible child;
Support states’ unemployment programs by providing an additional
$600 per week, per person in unemployment compensation benefits and
an additional 13 weeks of eligibility;
Delay payments for employer-side payroll taxes;
Provide support to businesses and industries that have been affected
by the coronavirus outbreak – through no fault of their own – to
help ensure workers have jobs to return to after this crisis
subsides;
Offer forgivable loans to small businesses that retain employees
through this crisis;
Provide $117 billion to our nation’s health care community,
including veterans’ health, to support doctors, hospitals and other
health care professionals who are on the front lines of this battle,
as well as temporary relief from the Medicare sequester, temporary
expansion of a Medicare-accelerated payment program to help rural
hospitals, and increased Medicare reimbursement for coronavirus
care;
Extend reimbursement relief for durable medical equipment providers,
whose products patients rely on to transition from hospital to home,
throughout the duration of the coronavirus emergency.
[OFFICE OF REP. DARIN LaHOOD]
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