Coronavirus Information for Hoosiers

***Click HERE for the latest information from the CDC***

Coronavirus Relief Included in Year-End Government Funding Package

On December 22, 2020, Senator Young voted in favor of H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, a comprehensive year-end bill that includes coronavirus relief and funding for the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021. This package provides assistance to essential workers, small businesses, and unemployed Americans, and provides additional resources for testing and vaccinations.

The bill rescinds $429 billion in unused CARES Act funds to help pay for the additional coronavirus relief measures

Specific Coronavirus Relief Measures Included in the Bill:

• $325 billion for small business relief, including $284 billion for Paycheck Protection Program Second Draw Loans and enhanced relief for hard-hit industries like restaurants and venues.
  • PPP Second Draw incorporates a number of tenets from Senator Young’s RESTART Act, including expansion of the number of allowable and forgivable costs to provide businesses with more flexibility and a requirement that businesses demonstrate need by meeting a 25 percent or more revenue decline test.
  • Clarifies Congressional intent that business expenses paid using forgiven PPP funds are tax deductible, avoiding a significant unexpected burden on already struggling small businesses.
    • Senator Young is a cosponsor of S., 3612, Small Business Expense Protection Act, and advocated for this clarification.
    • $25 billion for rental assistance for struggling renters and a one month extension of the CDC eviction moratorium.
    • Extends Federal Pandemic Unemployment Insurance benefit of $300 per week through March 14, 2021.
    • Direct payment of $600 to individuals and qualified child dependents (up to $2,400 for a family of four).
    • $10 billion for child care, including direct support for child care providers for fixed costs and operation expenses, to help ensure working parents have access to child care so they can work or return to work.
      • Senator Young cosponsored S. 4221, the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act and signed a letter requesting support for child care in COVID-19 relief.
      • $29 billion for vaccine development and distribution.
      • $22 billion for COVID-19 testing and related activities by states.
      • $3 billion for the health care Provider Relief Fund.
      • $250 million in funding for the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
      • $82 billion for education, including $54.3 billion for K-12 schools and $22.7 billion for higher education.
      • Nearly $11.2 billion for COVID-related agriculture assistance, specifically allowing the Secretary to make payments to producers for losses incurred from depopulation of livestock and poultry due to processing disruptions.
        • Senator Young cosponsored S. 4156, RELIEF for Producers Act.
        • $45 billion for transportation assistance related to COVID-19 impacts.
          • Includes $16 billion to extend the Aviation Workers Payroll Support Program which Senator Young has advocated for since August.
          • Extends and enhances the Employee Retention Tax Credit through June 30, 2021.
          • 12-month extension of the deadline to expend state and local funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to allow more flexibility to stretch out already obligated CARES funds.

For more information on the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, click here.

Vaccines:

Two COVID-19 vaccines have now been authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.

The FDA has also authorized for emergency use a treatment drug from Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly that is targeted towards those who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccinations, click here and here.

COVID-19 Questions

Hoosiers can email COVID_19@young.senate.gov for additional assistance.

Indiana has also established a tollfree number for Hoosiers to call with questions about the coronavirus: (877) 826-0011. If you are calling with general questions about coronavirus, please press 1; if you are a healthcare provider, please press 2.

Previous Federal Action:

On March 5, 2020, the Senate took swift, decisive action to provide Americans with a 7.7 billion dollar emergency funding package to help prepare and respond to the health effects of the virus.

On March 18, 2020, the Senate voted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which providedrelief to families, workers, and businesses affected by the coronavirus, including providing free testing, food aid, and unemployment assistance.

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act, the Senate’s phase 3 coronavirus emergency relief package.

On April 21, 2020, the Senate passed additional coronavirus relief funding, including renewed funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, hospitals, and expanded testing. The agreement also clarifies that farmers with under 500 employees are eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The agreement was signed into law by President Trump on April 24.

Additional Resources:

• Indiana State Department of Health: https://bit.ly/2tOAoiJ  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://bit.ly/2Ue5cCn
• World Health Organization: https://bit.ly/2RA0VJu
• US State Department Travel Information: https://bit.ly/3aULIKA
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://bit.ly/2xDHBU5