{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-shares-what-you-need-know-covid-19-april-23", "Greg Walden Shares What You Need to Know on COVID-19 - April 23", "2020-04-23", "2020", "2020-04", "Republican", "House", "OR", "Greg Walden", "W000791", "walden.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released an update on COVID-19 for April 23, 2020.\nThe latest on the coronavirus:\nWalden Voices Support for the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act: Today, ahead of the House vote on the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, Walden shared his support for the bill on the House Floor. The legislation will refill the Paycheck Protect Program (PPP), whichran out of fundinglast week. The bill includes $310 billion for the PPP, $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan(EIDL)program,$10 billion forthe EIDLadvance/grant program,$75 billion for hospitals/health careproviders, and $25 billion for testing. Nationwide, the PPP approved forgivable loans to more than1.6 millionsmall businesses and processed nearly$350 billionin only 14 days. In Oregon, the PPP approved over18,700 forgivable loansand processed over$3.8 billionin only 14 days. Watch his statementhere.\nMore Funding for Health Care Providers & Hospitals The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)will awardover $40 billion to health care providers and hospitals.The funding comes as a result ofHHS distributing over $40billion of the $100 billion that theCoronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Actdesignated for provider relief. In addition to this funding HHS has already distributed $30 billion nationwide, including $291 million to Oregon. Read morehere.\nHow to Get Your Economic Impact Payment Over the next several weeks, most Americans will see their payment of $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per couple, and $500 per child arrive directly to their bank account via direct deposit thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. TheIRS announced a change for veteranswho receive disability compensation, a pension, or survivor benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs - these veterans DO NOT need to do anything to receive their payment. Those on Social Security who do not file taxes also DO NOTneed to file anything to receive this new payment. Low income individuals with a gross income between $12,200 for individuals and $24,400 for married couples that do not file taxes,WILL need to submit information to the IRS to receive this payment.You can provide this information through the IRS's websitehere.\nFor additional information about the economic impact payment you can visit the IRS websitehere.\nAssistance for Farmers: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), an immediate relief program that provides $19 billion in support to farmers and ranchers, maintains the integrity of our food supply chain, and ensures access to food for those in need. This includes $16 billion in direct support to farmers and ranchers based on actual losses for agricultural producers. Read morehere.\nNIH Begins New Study: NIH has begun recruiting for a new study to quantify undetected cases of COVID-19. In this serosurvey, researchers will collect and analyze blood samples from as many as 10,000 volunteers to provide critical data for epidemiological models, helping to illuminate the extent to which the virus has spread undetected in the United States. People interested in joining this study should contact clinicalstudiesunit@nih.gov. Clinical trial information ishere.\nWatch out for COVID-19 Scams: BoththeFederal Trade Commissionand theFederal Communications Commissionare reporting a spike in coronavirus related scams including home testing kits, fake cures, and other malicious attempts to prey onCOVID-19fears.The Treasury Department will NOT ask you to pay anything for the payment most Americans will receive as a result of the CARES Act and will not contact you for your bank account information.If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the government asking for this type of information, please report it towww.ftc.gov/complaint. You can learn more about how to protect yourself from these types of scamshere.\nResources to Know and Share:Here are some helpful resources and information on COVID-19.\nIndividual Payments: The IRS launched theGet My Paymentweb portal with features to let taxpayers check on their Economic Impact Payment date and update direct deposition information.Click hereto check on the status of your payment.\nHelpful Resources on PPE: CDC updated the PPE Burn Rate Calculator, a spreadsheet-based model that will help health care facilities plan and optimize the use of PPE for response to COVID-19. Morehere. You can now see PPE shipments to Oregon countieshere.\nASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards. For a top-line overview of the programCLICK HERE  \n\tIf you're a lender, more information can be foundHERE  \n\tIf you're a borrower, more information can be foundHERE  \n\tThe application for borrowers can be foundHERE\nOther resources on the Paycheck Protection Program:\n  INFORMATION FOR AMERICANS ABROAD: The State Department has repatriated over 50,000 Americans from more than 90 countries. The State Department is making efforts to bring home Americans, including through commercial flights, chartered flights, and military transport. Any American abroad who needs assistance should contact their local U.S. embassy and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), availablehereor by calling 1-888-407-4747. If you decide to travel abroad or are already outside the United States:\n Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.\n\tHave a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.\n\tReview and follow theCDC's guidelinesfor the prevention of coronavirus.\n\tCheck with your airline, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.\n\tVisittravel.state.govto view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.\n\tVisit Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.\n\tVisit theDepartment of Homeland Security'swebsite on the latest travel restrictions to the United States\n   ASSISTANCE FROM HHS AND FEMA: HHS and FEMA have fielded many requests to assist or partner with the Federal Government in response to the COVID pandemic.\n Organizations or individuals seeking to contract with the federal government to import or manufacture medical products to aid the U.S. response submit information to FEMA through a Request for Proposal, availablehere.\n\tOrganizations or individuals that wish to donate medical supplies or equipment can submit that informationhere.\n\tOther inquiries from organizations or individuals, including individuals who want to volunteer or organizations that want to produce a product related to the COVID response, among other inquiries, can be referred tohttps://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help.\n How to schedule a blood donation appointment:\nFast Facts:Here are some helpful stats on COVID-19 asof4/22/20 Cases of COVID-19:(as of 4/22/20) U.S.current case count-- There are currently at least 841,556 cases and 46,688 deaths in the United States, as reported by Johns Hopkins and other media sources.\nOregon current case count:2,059 Benton: 27 Clackamas: 183 Clatsop: 6 Columbia: 14 Coos: 3 Crook: 1 Curry: 4 Deschutes: 66 Douglas: 23 Grant: 1 Hood River: 4 Jackson: 48 Jefferson: 2 Josephine: 19 Klamath: 33 Lane: 48 Lincoln: 5 Linn: 63 Malheur: 5 Marion: 388 Morrow: 5 Multnomah: 566 Polk: 33 Sherman: 1 Tillamook: 6 Umatilla: 29 Union: 4 Wallowa: 1 Wasco: 11 Washington: 425 Yamhill: 35\nICYMI from Walden:\nGreg Walden Floor Statement on the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act\nGreg Walden Statement on More Funding for Oregon Health Care Providers, Hospitals\nGreg Walden Statement on Expanding COVID-19 Testing Capacity", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/greg-walden-shares-what-you-need-know-covid-19-april-23"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7866378873586655, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}