Finkenauer Urges House & Senate Leadership to Stop Political Fighting, Pass Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) sent a letter on Thursday to House and Senate leaders again urging them to put aside politics and find a bipartisan compromise on a new COVID-19 relief package.
The letter is a follow up to a previous letter sent by Finkenauer to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, which included stories from Iowans who have been negatively affected by the pandemic.
Last week, Finkenauer held a bipartisan hearing in her Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship Subcommittee on the issue of economic development and recovery from the COVID pandemic. The hearing featured witnesses from Hiawatha and Grinnell, Iowa, who highlighted the need for additional assistance for Iowa’s small businesses and economy.
“In March, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass a pandemic relief package that provided essential aid to our families, small businesses and front-line workers — protecting our economy and saving millions of Americans from financial disaster,” Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. “Six months later, while the pandemic rages on, these programs have expired and left Iowans in my district and Americans across the country on the brink. With Iowans’ lives, homes, businesses and jobs at stake, we must end the partisan gridlock and deliver for the American people."
"Our leaders need to know that real people are hurting each and every day — facing lost jobs, declining business, and increasing uncertainty about how they’ll pay rent or put food on the table,” Finkenauer said. “My message to House and Senate leaders is the same today as it was months ago: Put politics aside, come together and help hard-working families who are struggling through no fault of their own."
In the letter, Finkenauer shared the following priorities, based on the stories she’s heard directly from constituents living through the pandemic:
Direct Support for Iowa Families
Our next package should include additional financial assistance. Specifically, the next bill should provide expanded economic impact payments to families who need them. It’s also critical that we extend supplemental unemployment benefits and provide resources to our states as needed to continue this critical program.
Assistance for State & Local Government
We need to make sure that our communities are safe and that essential services continue by providing more direct assistance to our state and local governments, who are facing budget shortfalls of millions of dollars with no way to recoup lost revenues.
Support for the United States Postal Service (USPS)
We are all hearing of the growing backlog at the Postal Service and the importance of deliveries at this time. While our Postal Service has long been in jeopardy, aid is needed now more than ever. Any future package should include additional support for USPS.
Funding for Schools and Childcare Providers
Iowa families are struggling with childcare options while schools and childcare providers worry about the safety of their operations and facilities. We need to make sure that our children’s education is not interrupted, regardless of whether it happens in the classroom or at home. Parents should not have to make heartbreaking decisions between keeping kids safe and returning to work. Funding is needed for additional training and guidance as well as infrastructure improvements, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, and distance learning support, such as broadband.
Health and Safety Protections
We need to continue to take every precaution when it comes to controlling the spread of the virus. I urge that the next package include strong worker protections along with significant investments in expanding testing and tracing. We also need to start planning now for the upcoming election and include funding for vote-by-mail initiatives.
Assistance for Iowa Industries
We need to improve and expand the resources available to businesses who are trying to reopen and adapt. We should look at ways to incentivize the production of PPE and other critical supplies and safety infrastructure, giving our manufacturers the opportunity to compete to new contracts. We should also explore changing the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan to allow businesses to take out a second loan if needed or have existing debt forgiven while ensuring artificial caps don’t hurt our businesses. These programs should also treat all businesses fairly—like our farmers. Lastly, we need direct aid for key industries that have been left behind, like our biofuels producers.
"Yesterday, a bipartisan group of our colleagues from the Problem Solvers Caucus released a plan to provide COVID-19 relief and extend key programs like supplemental unemployment insurance, economic impact payments, and provide state and local aid to our struggling communities,” Finkenauer wrote in the letter. “While this plan may not be perfect, it represents an important bipartisan agreement that is worth considering and provides an opportunity to restart stalled negotiations. Congress and the White House must get back to the negotiating table and continue making progress on this critical issue."
Congresswoman Finkenauer’s Ongoing Recovery Efforts:
On September 10, Finkenauer chaired a Rural, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship (RATE) Subcommittee hearing on Thursday titled “Kick Starting Entrepreneurship and Main Street Economic Recovery."
On August 3, Finkenauer sent a letter to House and Senate leaders on Monday to highlight the urgent need for a new COVID-19 relief package.
On July 21, Finkenauer sent a letter to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on Tuesday seeking more information on her administration’s recent decision to limit COVID-19 testing availability in Dubuque County.
On July 17, Finkenauer questioned Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin concerning emergency aid and direct payments for Iowans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On July 17, Finkenauer introduced the bipartisan Expanding Assistance to Farmers Act of 2020. The bill ensures farmers and agricultural producers can use their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to cover rental expenses related to equipment, land, and buildings. PPP is the forgivable federal loan program created earlier this year to aid small business affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
On July 2, Finkenauer introduced the Relief for Rural Development Borrowers Act to assist rural businesses, hospitals and schools through the Coronavirus pandemic by covering six months of payments on certain federal loans.
On June 25, Finkenauer called on Frontier Airlines to provide refunds for travelers impacted by Coronavirus-related flight cancellations after receiving numerous complaints about Frontier’s handling of refunds.
On June 8, Finkenauer continued bipartisan efforts to defend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), sending a letter to President Donald Trump demanding that his administration uphold the integrity of federal fuel standards amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On June 2, Finkenauer announced $24.5 million in federal grants for Northeastern Iowa airports, funding authorized by the CARES Act which Finkenauer helped pass into law in March.
On May 28, Finkenauer sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday asking the department to waive all fees associated with replacement of Economic Impact Payment debit cards.
On May 28, Finkenauer voted to help pass a bill providing for flexibility for businesses receiving loans through the Paycheck Protection Program.
On May 27, Finkenauer helped introduce legislation providing new loans for teams to cover costs and hang on until next season. The legislation will help the Cedar Rapids Kernels and other minor league clubs keep up with lease and bond payments and pay employees even if stadiums go dark this year.
On May 27, Finkenauer introduced the Child Care is Essential Act to improve childcare options for Iowans and ensure providers have the resources to weather the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 22, Finkenauer introduced the Protecting Paychecks and Employees (PPE) Act, which would allow small businesses to use funds from Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans on personal protective equipment for their employees.
On May 20, Finkenauer led a Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship (RATE) subcommittee virtual forum, bringing together Iowa leaders and experts to discuss the economic challenges facing rural communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 19, Finkenauer joined Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03), and Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-02) in writing to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds to express concerns over the capability and expansion plans of the Test Iowa coronavirus (COVID-19) testing program.
On May 12, Finkenauer introduced the Tenant Protection Notification Act of 2020 to protect renters, including mobile and manufactured home park residents, from illegal evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 8, Finkenauer pledged to take additional legislative steps to ensure the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) better serves truly small businesses in places like Waterloo — not big corporations and national chains.
On May 8, Finkenauer announced nearly $1 million in additional grants for COVID-19 testing at three community health centers in the First District.
On May 6, Finkenauer announced $8.1 million in grants for transit services in the City of Cedar Rapids as part of the CARES Act Coronavirus relief package.
On May 1, Finkenauer, U.S. Reps. Dave Loebsack (IA-02), and Cindy Axne (IA-03) sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking for the president to partner in safely reopening meat processing plants in Iowa by utilizing the Defense Production Act (DPA) to produce the needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers, just as he has done to order the opening of the plants.
On April 29, Finkenauer met, via video conference, with letters carriers who serve Iowa’s First Congressional District. Finkenauer provided an update on potential aid amid the COVID-19 crisis, expressed her commitment to ensuring letter carriers have the resources they need to continue to serve during the crisis, and heard about potential areas where the federal government could assist employees.
On April 23, Finkenauer voted to help pass additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, hospitals and healthcare providers, and increased funding for COVID-19 testing.
On April 21, Finkenauer helped introduce the COVID-19 Every Worker Protection Act to increase safety standards for essential workers and at-risk employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was introduced amid concerns over rising COVID-19 infections and reports of inadequate protections for employees at some Iowa meat processing plants.
On April 20, Finkenauer sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons urging the FTC to delay no further in investigating ongoing concerns about out-of-state investors and corporations buying mobile and manufactured home communities in Iowa and taking advantage of their residents with unfair business practices. This issue has been a top concern in Iowa for months, and become more pressing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 17, Finkenauer sent letters to three federal agencies asking for enforceable safety standards, COVID-19 testing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees at meat processing plants in Iowa. Finkenauer sent oversight letters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Labor (DOL), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to highlight the urgency of the situation facing hard-working Iowans at these plants, and request immediate assistance. USDA and the CDC later took steps complying with Finkenauer’s request.
On April 15, Finkenauer helped lead more than 40 Representatives and Senators in writing a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli expressing concern that regulations for visa programs are standing in the way of the strongest possible medical response to COVID-19.
On April 13, Finkenauer led a bipartisan letter addressed to Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Association, expressing concern that there is no longer a full-time Director for the Office of Rural Affairs and urging the SBA to provide the Office of Rural Affairs with the necessary staff and resources to ensure that rural small businesses are able to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 9, Finkenauer held telephone-town hall to discuss mental health impacts and resources around coronavirus.
On April 9, Finkenauer sent a letter to HHS Secretary Azar asking for information about how the $100 billion in the CARES Act for hospitals and health care providers will distributed, including information on Iowa’s share of the funding.
On April 2, Finkenuer sent letters to 11 federal agencies seeking updates on aid programs authorized by recent legislation to address the COVID-19 crisis.
On March 27, Finkenauer sent a letter to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds urging her to issue a statewide ‘stay-at-home’ order.
On March 27, Finkenauer voted for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) an emergency aid package to help hospitals, frontline workers, and working families across Iowa and the country.
On March 26, held a telephone town hall for constituents in the First Congressional District. Business and workforce leaders from around the district answered questions about personal financial impacts of coronavirus response.
On March 25, Finkenauer released her priorities she pushed to have included in the third coronavirus response supplemental - Preparing Iowa Communities & Protecting our Families.
On March 19, Finkenauer held a telephone town hall for constituents in the First Congressional District. Health officials from Black Hawk and Linn counties participated and answered questions, as well as the liaison for Dubuque City and County Emergency Health Response Team.
Finkenauer also sent a letter to federal health officials on March 19, urging them to ensure Iowa medical professionals have the necessary protective equipment to treat patients.
Finkenauer joined a call for President Trump to use his authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to increase production of necessary medical supplies. On March 18, President Trump announced he would use the authority to avoid supply shortages.
On March 17, Finkenauer reached out to community leaders in Iowa asking for their concerns, priorities and more info on how the outbreak is affected local economies.
On March 15, Finkenauer sent a letter to Governor Kim Reynolds encouraging the state to create a more centralized location for key information, including consideration of school closures.
Finkenauer voted to pass an emergency package to help Iowa families and health professionals impacted by coronavirus on March 14.
Taking early action, Finkenauer voted to approve a critical coronavirus funding package to help expand testing and research. Finkenauer also sent an oversight letter to the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar seeking specific answers on whether local health agencies and hospitals have the tools they need.
On March 13, Finkenauer helped host a Small Business Committee hearing on Coronavirus and asked a witness about health and safety, and financial security for hard-working Iowans impacted by coronavirus.
Finkenauer followed up that hearing with an oversight letter asking the Small Business Administration (SBA) about their progress on providing information on small business assistance to Iowans along with what methods they will be doing outreach to Iowa businesses. Later that day, the SBA posted this information webpage.
Finkenauer also published a coronavirus informational page to help Iowans access important information regarding the global pandemic. The page is available at https://finkenauer.house.gov/coronavirus-information
Finkenauer’s office has been in contact with area hospitals, business organizations, schools and colleges with respect to the virus to understand any ongoing concerns. Finkenauer has also spoken with Governor Kim Reynolds for an update on Iowa’s response to coronavirus.