Hello, Friends —
On Friday afternoon, the House passed the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,” a massive, multi-trillion-dollar relief bill designed to address the impacts of coronavirus on individuals, businesses, and America as a whole.
Providing economic relief to those harmed by COVID-19 is imperative. I am deeply concerned, however, that lawmakers have used a national emergency as an opportunity to fund pet projects, ideological wish lists, and good old-fashioned porkbarrel spending. Provisions like bailouts for the Kennedy Center, and 350 million dollars for refugee programs, have no place whatsoever in a coronavirus relief package. The increased spending on refugee programs is particularly misguided and counterintuitive: with billions of people worldwide being told to shelter in place, now is the exact wrong time to spend American taxpayers’ money on international programs to help people move and resettle.
With American lives at stake, this bill should not have been a place for political gamesmanship.
I was disappointed by these inclusions, and by the unorthodox way in which this bill was brought to the House for a vote. My friend and colleague Thomas Massie objected to the procedure on valid Constitutional grounds, but he was overruled.
The excessive and wasteful provisions secured by House and Senate Democrat leaders should concern all Americans — and especially our younger citizens. America is over 21 trillion dollars in debt, and with the passage of this bill, we will have to borrow trillions of dollars, primarily from China, to pay for coronavirus relief — even though China’s inaction, distortion, and outright lies were the largest factor in COVID-19’s rapid global spread.
It adds insult to injury that America’s youngest generations will have to pay China back, with interest, for a global crisis caused by China.
I am proud to have recently introduced the “No CHINA Act,” legislation to block coronavirus relief funds from being disbursed to businesses in the United States owned by the Chinese government.
As the Nation and the Congress continue responding to the epidemic, I hope the guardrails of the No CHINA Act will be included in future funding packages.
Despite my concerns about the way the bill was drafted and brought to a vote, it passed by “voice vote,” and now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
Some notable elements of the bill are below:
- Direct payments to qualified individuals: $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for couples, and $500 for children. These checks will be sent to those with incomes at or below $75,000 individual/$112,500 head of household/$150,000 filing jointly. Payments will phase out for those earning above those thresholds; these payments are phased out completely for single taxpayers with incomes exceeding $99,000 ($198,000 for joint filers).
- $100 billion for grants to hospitals and healthcare providers.
- $27 billion for research into better testing and treatment methods and the purchase of medical supplies and personal protective equipment.
- $16 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile to procure personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other medical supplies for federal and state response efforts.
- $4.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s public health response efforts.
- Businesses will receive a tax credit for keeping workers on payroll, and a refund for half of what they spend on wages, up to $5000 per worker. (No SBA loans will be available for business who choose the tax credit, to avoid “double-dipping.”)
- $150 billion through a Coronavirus Relief Fund for making payments to States, tribal governments, and local governments.
- $500 billion for a major corporate liquidity program through the Federal Reserve, which will be overseen by an inspector general and an oversight board to ensure the money is spent well.
- $349 billion in low-interest small business loans (some of which can be partially forgiven).
- $1.45 billion for the Defense Working Capital Funds as the Defense Logistics Agency and military services work to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on production lines, supply chain, military depots, and labs.
- $1.8 billion for the Defense Health Program, to address increased health care cases for eligible military members, dependents, and retirees, and to procure additional medical equipment/physical protective equipment for medical personnel and disease response.
- Employers and self-employed will be able to defer the 6.2% tax on wages (payments will be allowed to be spread out over two years).
- Additional $600/week provided to people receiving unemployment benefits.
- $200 million investment in telemedicine.
- $25 billion for food assistance, including $9 billion for child nutrition.
- $30 billion for schools and school districts.
To explore the bill further, a detailed summary is here, and the full text of the bill is here.
For more information on this bill, coronavirus resources in general, please visit my website. There you will also find county-specific information regarding coronavirus-related closures, such as beaches and businesses.
Here are some additional resources for the coronavirus crisis:
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FLORIDA CORONAVIRUS TRACKER
Visit the COVID-19 dashboard created by the Florida Department of Health (updated twice daily).
COVID-19 HOTLINE
If you have questions about what Florida is doing to combat the Coronavirus, call the Florida COVID-19 hotline at 866-779-6121, or email covid-19@flhealth.gov. They can answer questions about Coronavirus symptoms, news, and how to donate or volunteer in areas impacted by the virus.
INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES
The Florida Department of Health website provides an abundance of information on COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a page dedicated to COVID-19, available HERE.
IF YOU ARE ABROAD/TRAVELING ABROAD
If you are abroad or plan on travelling abroad soon, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is very important. Enrolling in STEP will provide you with the latest safety and security information for your destination country so you can make informed decisions about your travel. It will also help the U.S. embassy contact you and provide assistance during an emergency overseas. The STEP website can be found HERE.
COUNTY INFORMATION AND CLOSURES
Click on your county for the most up-to-date information on closures in Escambia, Okaloosa, Holmes, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties:
Military Updates
Click HERE for a status update from NAS Pensacola (dated 3/23).
Here is NAS Pensacola’s website (updated frequently).
Click HERE for an update from Eglin AFB (dated 3/24).
Here is Eglin AFB’s website (updated frequently).
Click HERE for an update from Hurlburt Field (dated 3/25).
Here is Hurlburt Field’s website (updated frequently).
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Fox News — March 24, 2020
Rep. Matt Gaetz Appears on ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’
Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” to discuss his “No CHINA Act” filed yesterday, and to discuss allegations of insider trading against Senator Richard Burr.
Watch it below:
NW Florida Daily News — March 23, 2020
Hurlburt airman who died in training accident identified
“Rep. Matt Gaetz issued a statement in response to Baker’s death, saying the airman’s ‘patriotism and his devotion to serving his country will not soon be forgotten. Our Northwest Florida community and the entire nation mourns the loss of Airman First Class Keigan Baker and joins together in prayer for his family during this difficult time.’”
Breitbart News — March 25, 2020
Gaetz: Blocking Bailouts to Companies Controlled by China ‘So Obvious I Can’t Even Believe It’s Not the Law Already’
“Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) argued that given the origin of the coronavirus was of Mainland China, and allegedly could have been thwarted by the communist Chinese government had they been more transparent, any federal dollars allocated for bailout purposes should not go to any company controlled by the Chinese government.”
Daily Caller — March 25, 2020
Rep. Gaetz: Sen. Burr ‘A Disgrace’ And ‘Should Be Removed’ As Senate Intel Chairman “Republican Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said Tuesday that Sen. Richard Burr ‘is a disgrace’ who ‘should be removed as the [Senate] Intelligence [Committee] Chairman immediately.’”
Fox News — March 25, 2020
Rep. Matt Gaetz Appears on ‘Hannity’
“Millions of Americans need help now. Dangerous poison pills like $350,000,000 for “Migration and Refugee Assistance” put America last.”
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