Butterfield Praises Passage of Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield issued the following statement on the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act that will provide additional funding amid the COVID-19 crisis:
“I was proud to join my colleagues in passing the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. Democrats fought for and secured not only an additional $310 billion in funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), but also the exclusive use of $60 billion of those funds for community financial institutions. Community lenders such as community banks, credit unions, and Community Development Financial Institutions will now be able to prioritize PPP loans for the smallest businesses in our communities, including rural businesses and those owned by minorities, women, and veterans. We also provided $50 billion in additional funds for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and grants and made farmers and other agriculture enterprises eligible for these funds after they were left out of the program following the CARES Act being signed into law. These emergency resources from both programs will provide desperately needed funds to protect the livelihoods of eastern North Carolinians.
Congressional Democrats also fought for and won the inclusion of an additional $75 billion for the provider relief fund which will provide desperately needed support for our hospitals and brave healthcare workers. These funds will help ensure that our healthcare providers can effectively fight COVID-19 and be there for all of us after the crisis is over. The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act also provides $25 billion for COVID-19 testing, including $11 billion for states and $825 million for community health centers and rural health clinics—which are lifelines for so many eastern North Carolinians.
“While this funding will help to provide critical support for the people of North Carolina’s First Congressional District, there is still much work to be done. This cannot be the last effort from Congress in the fight against COVID-19. We are all in this together and I will continue to advocate for the needs of my constituents.”
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