Targeted Relief Proposal Addresses Health, Education, Agriculture and Economic Needs
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today called for bipartisan support for a new COVID-19 relief legislation that targets resources to the most critical health care, education, and economic issues facing Americans six months into a national emergency.
Hyde-Smith, who serves on Senate Appropriations Committee, sought support for the Delivering Immediate Relief to America’s Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act, a targeted relief measure filed Tuesday by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. A vote is expected later this week on this latest effort by Senate Republicans to overcome Democratic opposition to additional relief.
“We know we need a bipartisan agreement to provide help for schools, testing, small businesses, and unemployment benefits. All of these are included in this targeted package, with what I believe are sufficient funding levels to ensure Mississippians can continue to respond and recover from the hardships inflicted by COVID-19,” Hyde-Smith said.
“Partisan stonewalling on providing aid to families and small businesses risks the health and wellbeing of all Americans,” she added. “No matter the party, we now need to work constructively to provide the relief Americans and the U.S. economy require.”
The legislation would, among other things, provide new unemployment benefits, create an new round of Paycheck Protection Program, establish coronavirus liability relief, fund educational and childcare support, and support fortifying pandemic preparation and strategic stockpiles.
Important to Mississippi agriculture, the Senate plan would provide $20 billion of additional farm assistance and $500 million in direct federal assistance for fisheries. Hyde-Smith in late August joined 13 colleagues to push for additional support for agriculture.
A copy of the legislation is available here and a summary is available here.
Press Release
9/8/2020
Magnolia Tribune
