Today, a deal was reached between the House, Senate, and White House on a COVID package and appropriations bills. Rep. Bergman voted in favor of the legislative package to avoid a government shutdown, provide additional coronavirus relief to American families, and secure major wins for Michigan's First District and the State of Michigan as a whole.
"Workers and small businesses across the First District are at a breaking point after 10 months of restrictions from the state and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm pleased that critical PPP and EIDL funding and tax provisions are part of this legislation as businesses across our district face unprecedented pressure, especially during the holiday season.
"Additionally, the appropriations package passed tonight contains historic wins for the First District of Michigan which I advocated for, including: $732 million for rural broadband,$12 million for Exercise Northern Strike,$123 million for the new Soo Locks project, and millions for local water infrastructure projects.”
Bergman also added,“While I supported this deal to bring targeted coronavirus relief to Michigan families, I am disappointed in the continued dysfunction in Washington. This type of legislating is irresponsible and a reckless approach to federal budgeting; but with the options presented tonight, I am supporting the workers and small businesses across the District who have been in dire straits since March.”
Topline details on the COVID relief deal:
- $600 Economic Impact Payments per person;
- $284.5 billion to reopen and strengthen the PPP for first time and second time borrowers;
- $20 billion to restart and extend the SBA’s EIDL Advance Grant for small businesses in low income communities;
- Deductibility for forgiven PPP and EIDL funds;
- Develops a process for a small business to receive a second PPP if the small business has less than 300 employees and can demonstrate a revenue reduction of 25 percent;
- Creates a simplified one-page PPP loan forgiveness application for loans under $150,000;
- Creates a process for existing EIDL Advance grantees that received less than $10,000 dollars to reapply for the difference between what they received and the maximum EIDL Advance Grant of $10,000 dollars;
- Extends paid sick and family leave provisions;
- $300 per week unemploymentfrom December 26, 2020 to March 14, 2021;
- $20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it;
- $8 billion for vaccine distribution;
- $20 billion to assist states with testing;
- $10 billion for grants to childcare centers to help providers safely reopen;
- $4 billion for substance abuse; and
- $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning.
First District Priorities and other topline details of the FY21 Appropriations package include:
- $123.22 million for continued construction of the new Soo Locks project;
- $12 million for Exercise Northern Strike;
- $330 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative;
- $732 million for rural broadband;
- $1.68 billion for Corps of Engineers Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund activities;
- $4 million for survey and design of a Great Lakes Ice Breaker and continues funding the Great Lakes Icebreaker Program Office;
- $94.26 million for the Forest Legacy program in the U.S. Forest Service;
- $142 million for the Essential Air Service (EAS) to ensure continued air service to rural communities;
- Maintains all pro-life protections;
- Language urging the Fish and Wildlife Service to bring relief to Great Lakes fisheries by finalizing rulemaking for management of the double-crested cormorant;
- Full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for fiscal year 2021;
- Prioritizes national security and continues to rebuild our military;
- 3% pay raise for our military servicemembers;
- Funding for continued border wall construction;
- Increases funding for the Department of Justice and preserving federal grant programs that bolster state and local efforts to keep our communities safe;
- Provides funding for the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund to continue assistance and response to disasters affecting communities;
- Provides Coast Guard with increased funding for investments in personnel and air and marine assets;
- Furthers the federal commitment to meet trust and treaty obligations to Indian Tribes by providing $359 million above the currently enacted level - the largest increase in the bill; and
- Maintains longstanding Second Amendment protections.
As more information becomes available, please stay up to date by visiting bergman.house.gov/coronavirus-help/
