Shaheen Statement Ahead of One-Year Anniversary of CARES Act
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement ahead of tomorrow’s one-year anniversary since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law:
“A year ago, Democrats and Republicans came together to respond to an unprecedented public health and economic crisis that was pummeling our communities. No one was spared from the fallout of the pandemic and Congress needed to respond meaningfully and quickly to deliver assistance to the frontlines. The outcome of around-the-clock negotiations was the most comprehensive relief package in U.S. history: the CARES Act,” said Senator Shaheen.
She continued: “The CARES Act delivered critical funding for hospitals and health care providers, emergency paid sick leave, expanded unemployment assistance, rental assistance, stimulus checks and funding for state and local governments to offset severe budgetary shortfalls. With Senators Rubio, Cardin and Collins, I authored provisions to rescue our small businesses, including the Paycheck Protection Program, which quickly became a lifeline for Granite State businesses to stay afloat. Though we are not out of this crisis yet, we are beginning to see glimmers of hope thanks to the resilience and hard work of our communities. I’ll continue to base my priorities in Congress and response to this crisis on what I hear every day from Granite Staters. Ensuring the safety and security of families across New Hampshire will always be my top concern.”
Senator Shaheen was a lead negotiator of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which secured New Hampshire an initial $1.25 billion to assist with COVID-19 response efforts. Shaheen helped lead discussions on provisions in the CARES to assist small businesses and established the Paycheck Protection Program and expanded the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Both of these programs have been lifelines for businesses throughout New Hampshire and the country. Senator Shaheen is a member of the bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers that has continued to steer negotiations of COVID-19 relief. The COVID-19 relief bill signed into law in December contained Shaheen-negotiated legislation that provided urgently needed assistance to American students, families, businesses, workers and health care providers impacted by the public health and economic crises. Shaheen worked to secure numerous provisions in the American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law earlier this month. Senator Shaheen helped lead negotiations on measures related to funding for hospitals and assistance for state and local governments during negotiations with the Senate and calls with the White House. The ARP includes premium tax credit enhancement provisions from her legislation, the Improving Health Insurance Affordability Act. Senator Shaheen also worked to boost funding to support vaccination efforts by smaller states after a flawed formula led New Hampshire to receive less federal funding than originally estimated.
