releases: https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-kaine-celebrate-senate-passage-of-bills-renaming-hopewell-leesburg-midlothian-post-offices-after-virginiansa
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-kaine-celebrate-senate-passage-of-bills-renaming-hopewell-leesburg-midlothian-post-offices-after-virginiansa | Warner & Kaine Applaud Passage of Government Funding Bill that Includes COVID-19 Relief | 2020-12-21 | 2020 | 2020-12 | Democrat | Senate | VA | Mark Warner | W000805 | www.warner.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral spending bill to fund federal programs crucial to Virginia and keep the federal government open through 2021. The legislation also includes comprehensive measures to help Americans amid the ongoing economic and public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following today's Senate passage, the bill now heads to the President's desk for signature. For nine long months, folks waited for Congress to deliver critical relief as they watched COVID-19 further devastate their communities. Today, despite that unacceptable delay, relief is officially on its way,said Warner.I'm proud to have worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues to help get this legislation into shape and in the hands of House and Senate leaders. And while I know that this bill is not perfect, I'm glad to know that it will help American families weather this winter and get through the holidays. While this relief should have been passed much earlier, I'm pleased to see families, small businesses, hospitals, schools, and more get the assistance they need,Kaine said.This legislation makes critical investments in unemployment assistance, food aid, housing assistance, and other areas to directly help those struggling amid the pandemic. Though we still have more work to do to help Americans get back on their feet, I'm relieved Congress was able to come to this bipartisan compromise and fund these priorities before the holidays. The following list includes some of the priorities Warner and Kaine advocated: Assistance for out of work Virginians:Extends federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, preventing hundreds of thousands of out-of-work Virginians from losing benefits over the holidays. The senators were cosponsors of thelegislationthat provided the model for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), through which more than 9 million Americans are currently receiving benefits. More recently, the Senators called onleadershipto extend and add additional weeks of federal employment benefits to both PUA and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs. Additionally, it gives states the option to offer additional weekly financial relief for Americans with a mix of traditional (W-2) and independent employment income who are not able to claim their full benefit, modeledafter Senator Warner'slegislation. Stimulus checks:Includes a stimulus payment for low- and middle-income Americans; with $600 for individual filers and $1,200 for joint filers, with an additional $600 for each qualifying child in the household. Early in the crisis, Senator Kainecalledfor stimulus efforts to include direct payments to households. Vaccines:Includes over $19 billion for vaccines and therapeutics and an additional $8.75 billion to support vaccine distribution, particularly for states and localities, to slow the spread of the pandemic and take a step towards a future where COVID-19 is managed. Emergency housing aid and protections:Creates a new $25 billion emergency rental assistance fund to prevent evictions during the pandemic, which will be delivered through state and local governments. Earlier this year, the Senators joined their colleagues in introducing legislation to provide emergencyhousing assistancefor those facing potential evictions. The bill will also extend the CDC eviction moratorium to allow time for implementing the emergency housing aid. Relief for hard-hit small businesses and nonprofits:Provides targeted relief for small businesses struggling with the effects of the pandemic. This includes a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans for small businesses and nonprofits that experienced a substantial revenue decline in 2020, as well as other funds for small business relief. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is directed to provide guidance to ensure priority access for underserved communities, such as minority-owned businesses. The bill also includes grants for small businesses and nonprofits in sectors likely to continue to see substantial drops in revenue in 2021, particularly in the live entertainment sector. This aid will ensure that Virginia's small businesses are able to stay afloat during the pandemic, keep workers on payroll, and return to job creation as COVID-19 is controlled. The Senators have been strong supporters of providing relief to small businesses, cosponsoring theHeroes Small Business Lifeline Act, which included many of the provisions in the final bill, and theSave our Stages Act, on which the live entertainment grants are modeled. Targeted relief for underserved communities:Provides the largest single investment in our country's history forminority-owned and community-based lending institutions.Largely drawn from Senator Warner'sJobs and Neighborhood Investment Act, the provision provides $12 billion to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and minority depository institutions (MDIs) to buildcapital and unlockaffordable access to credit for underserved and minority neighborhoods, which have been particularly hard-hit by COVID-19. Education Stabilization Fund:Provides $82 billion to provide emergency support to K-12 schools and higher education institutions. The legislation includes provisions of Kaine'sCoronavirus Relief Flexibility for Students and Institutions Actthat allow colleges to use emergency stabilization funds to cover lost revenue and better target funds designated for colleges hardest hit by COVID-19 by requiring an application to demonstrate need. Broadband: Includes $7 billion towards broadband, including $3.2 billion for an Emergency Broadband Benefit to help low-income families maintain their internet connections, $285 million to support broadband access in minority communities, and $300 million in broadband grants modeled on provisions Senator Warnerdraftedwith bipartisan Senators. Additionally, the bill includes anextension of the deadlineto use Coronavirus Relief Funds so that state and localities interested in using the money for broadband expansion have more time, as Senator Warner called for. Support for child care providers and families:Includes $10 billion in flexible funding for the Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to help support child care providers and ensure that working parents have access to child care during the pandemic. The bill also includes $250 million for Head Start programs. Public health data modernization:Includes Senator Kaine'sSaving Lives Through Better Data Act, which will improve the nation's public health data systems at CDC and through grants to state and local health departments to expand and modernize their systems, promoting more seamless communication, which can save lives when we're faced with public health threats such as COVID-19. The omnibus authorizes $100 million for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. Telehealth:Includes Senator Kaine and Senator Schatz'sExpanding Capacity for Health Outcomes (ECHO) Act of2019, which creates a grant program to evaluate, develop, and expand the use of distance health education models such as ECHO to increase access to specialty care in rural and medically underserved populations. The omnibus authorizes $10 million for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. The funding bill also permanently expands coverage of and payment for telehealth to treat mental health care, which is in line with Senator Warner'sCONNECT for Health Act, which Senator Kaine is a cosponsor. Ends surprise billing:Includes a provision to end surprise billing, something SenatorsWarnerand Kaine have long advocated for. U.S. Postal Service:Converts the CARES Act $10 billion loan into direct funding for USPS without requiring repayment. These funds will be used for operational costs and other expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Warner is a cosponsor of thePostal Service Emergency Assistance Act,which would provide USPS with significant direct funding. Veterans:Provides $104.4 billion infundingfor the VA, anincrease of $12.5 billion over FY20 levels. This funding increaseprovides $2.7 billion more than the previous fiscal year for health care delivered at VA facilities nationwide. The bill provides robust funding in several areas important for Virginia veterans, including $815 million for critical VA Medical and Prosthetic research, an increase of $1.18 billion over FY20 levels for electronic health record modernization, nearly $2 billon in support of programs to prevent veteran homelessnessand $312.6 million for suicide prevention. Infrastructure:Includes funding for key projects that were championed by Warner and Kaine to benefit Virginia's infrastructure: Includes a provision pushed for by Senators Warner and Kaine to allow for the construction of a newLong Bridgeon the Potomac River, which will double the capacity of the rail crossing between Virginia and D.C. The current two-track Long Bridge is the only rail bridge connecting Virginia to Washington, D.C., and it is at 98 percent capacity during peak hours, which means it is one of the most significant rail chokepoints along the East Coast. The new Long Bridge program will double the capacity of the Potomac River rail crossing by adding a second two-track bridge adjacent to the existing bridge and including a new bike-pedestrian shared use path spanning the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the Potomac River. Senators Warner and Kaine introduced theLong Bridge Act of 2020in August to allow for this construction. Includes the full federal funding of $150 million for theWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)to fund critical capital investment and safety projects. In addition, the bill provides $14 billion in emergency relief for public transit agencies to continue operations during the pandemic, ensuring access to transportation for frontline workers and civil servants. Includes a one year extension of Community Development Block Grant fundsto the City of Norfolkand other localities to build climate resilient infrastructure projects. Senators Kaine and Warner joined Senator John Hoeven in introducingS.4017in June, which would also have provided an extension for the NDRC program. Includes $87.5 million for theChesapeake Bay Programan increase of $2.5 million from FY 2020. The Chesapeake Bay Program coordinates Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration and protection efforts, and the majority of its funds are passed through to the states and local communities for on-the-ground restoration. Authorizes federal funds to cover 65% of the costs associated with construction projects to address close to $1.5 billion of flood control needs in theCity of Norfolk. Grants a critical cost adjustment to allow work to continue on the Deep Creek Bridge inChesapeaketo address traffic concerns. Authorizes over $102.7 million in federal funds for construction of theNorth Landing BridgeReplacement project. Provides up to $9million for the Federal Aviation Administration to continue its remote tower system pilot program at smaller airports, including the Remote Air Traffic Control Tower atLeesburg Executive Airport. Great American Outdoors Act:With Senator Warner'sGreat American Outdoors Actnow law, the FY21 omnibus affirms funding for several deferred maintenance projects in Virginia: George Washington Memorial Parkway A $207 million project to restore 7.6 miles of northern section of the GW Parkway and implement critical safety measures. The Senators have long advocated for federal funding for this project for several years as seenhereandhere. Shenandoah National Park A $27 million project to pave and restore nearly 50 miles of Skyline Drive and various overlooks. Shenandoah will also receive nearly $3.5 million to remove unnecessary buildings and restore greenspace within the park. Colonial National Historical Park A $16.5 million project to restore nearly 5 miles of shoreline along the York River. FBI Headquarters:Provides no funding for a new FBI headquarters and includes language that encourages General Services Administration (GSA) to provide a new prospectus, particularly after the Trump Administration abruptly abandoned plans to develop a new campus headquarters for theFBI. Earlier this year, Senators Warner and Kaineopposedan attempt in an earlier Republican COVID-19 relief package that would have provided $1.75 billion for construction of a new FBI HQ in its current downtown D.C. location. Miners' Benefits:Extends the funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund until the end of 2021 by extending the tax on mining companies that helps fund the program. Both Kaine and Warner introduced theBlack Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Solvency Actcalling on Congress to extend the excise tax through the end of 2030. Shipbuilding & MILCON funding:Provides $23.27 billion for shipbuilding for 10 battle force ships includingfull funding for asecond Virginia-classsubmarine, which SenatorsWarnerand Kaine personally advocatedfor. The bill also appropriates $237 million for 6 MILCON projects in Virginia, including: Humphreys Engineer Center, Training Support Facility (Army) - $51m Norfolk, E-2D Training Facility (Navy) - $30.4m Norfolk, Corrosion Control and Paint Facility (Navy) - $17.671m Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Access Control Point Main Gate with Land Acquisition (Air Force) - $19.5m Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Story, Operations Facility and Command Center (Def-Wide) - $54.5m JEB Little Creek-Story, NSWG Facilities (Def-Wide) - $58m Federal contractors:Senators Warner and Kaine also pushed to extend a provision fromCARES (3610),which allows contractual adjustments for a paid leave program, allowing contractors to keep employees on the payroll if federal facilities close due to the pandemic an important provision for our defense industrial base and cleared national security workforce. Foster care and homeless youth:Includes key provisions of Senator Kaine's bill with Senator Murray and Senator Portman, theHigher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, to remove barriers to financial aid for students experiencing homelessness or students formerly in foster care by easing the application and determination for becoming eligible for aid. The bill also includes language allowing foster youth to remain in the system until October 1, 2021, regardless of their agea move that Senators Warner and Kaine called for in a recentletterto the administration. FundsChildhoodDiseaseResearch:Provides $12.6 million for theGabriellaMillerKids First Pediatric Research Program to conduct pediatric cancer and disease research. The Senators worked toenact the legislationauthorizing this program, named for 10-year-oldGabriellaMillerof Loudoun County, who passed away from cancer in October of 2013. Supporting working students and families:Includes key provisions of Senator Kaine's bill with Senator Baldwin, theWorking Students Act,to reduce the work penalty that many students who work while attending school face. Currently, students who work while attending school often are eligible for less financial aid due to their work income.The appropriations bill enacts a 35% increase for working students and 20% increase for families to the income protection allowance (IPA), shielding more of their income from reducing their financial aid. Student Loan Repayment:Extends an important change to existing tax policy allowingemployers to use pre-tax dollars to help pay down employees' student debt until 2025 a provision modeled after Senator Warner's bipartisanEmployerParticipation inRepaymentActto help more than 44 million Americans with student loan debt. Ashanti Alert: Includes $1 million in federalfunding to help with the nationwide implementation of theAshantiAlert system. Following the abduction of 19-year old Ashanti Billie, who did not meet the criteria for an Amber or Silver Alert,Senator Warnersecured unanimous passageof this national alert system through the Senate on December 6, 2018, and has been a leader in the fight to implement theAshantiAlert nationwide ever since. Nutrition:Provides $13 billion in nutrition assistance, including a 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits through June 30, 2021 for all SNAP participants. Excludes unemployment compensation from being counted as income for the purposes of calculating SNAP benefits and eligibility. Provides $400 million for food banks through The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Farmers: Provides $13 billion for direct payments, purchases, and loans to producers who have suffered losses due to the pandemic, including funds to support the food supply chain through food purchases, donations to food banks, and support for local food systems. Additionally, it includes $5 billion for supplemental payments to row crop producers; $3 billion for supplemental payments to cattle producers and contract growers of livestock and poultry, dairy farmers, and producers who were forced to euthanize livestock or poultry; $225 million for producers of specialty crops; and $1.5 billion to purchase food for distribution to those in need. Timber Harvesting/Hauling:Provides up to $200 million to support timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses impacted by COVID-19. Dairy:Provides up to $400 million for a Dairy Product Donation Program, modeled after the 2018 Farm Bill pilot program to facilitate the donation of dairy products and minimize food waste. Textiles:Allows USDA to make payments to users of upland cotton and extra-long staple cotton. Fisheries: Provides $300 million in assistance to help fisheries mitigate COVID-19 related impacts. Water Utility Bill Assistance:Provides $638 million for a new program to help low-income families cover the costs of drinking water and wastewater utility bills by making funds available to states and Tribes. These localities will provide dollars to owners or operators of public water systems or treatment works to reduce arrearages and rates for low-income households. Appalachian Regional Commission:Includes a record $180 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission, an increase of $5 million from FY20. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |