Rep. Jason Crow Statement on Emergency Coronavirus Relief

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tonight Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) voted for the Coronavirus relief package which provides over $900 billion in critical relief.

"As I walked up the Capitol stairs and cast my vote today, the words of the thousands of Coloradans I've heard from during this pandemic echoed in my mind. The stories of dying loved ones, bankrupt businesses, exhausted healthcare workers, and lost life savings. Coloradans need help and this bill should have been passed months ago," said Congressman Crow.

"I grew up knowing what it felt like to struggle month to month. That fear and anxiety of not knowing where the next rent check would come from. Working a shift at Arby's or a 14-hour day on the construction site and still not making ends meet. That's why I'm voting for this bill. As imperfect as it is, it will help provide relief for the millions of families and small businesses who simply can't wait any longer. I didn't come to Congress to play politics with people's lives. I came here to find a path to progress, and that's what I will continue to do.

Earlier today, Congressman Crow spoke on the House floor in support of the bill and his efforts to ensures COVID relief care and benefits are accessible by all communities, regardless of immigration status. Footage of his remarks can be found HERE.

The bill also includes Rep. Jason Crow's Increasing Access to Capital Act. Crow's bill expands and bolsters the Small Business Administration (SBA) flagship loan programs by waiving administrative fees and temporary fee elimination for the 504 Loan Program.

Elements of the COVID relief bill include:

• Accelerating vaccine distribution and crushing the coronavirus: The bipartisan COVID relief package provides billions in urgently need funds to accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe vaccines to as many Americans as possible as soon as possible, to implement a strong national testing and tracing strategy with billions reserved specifically for combating the disparities facing communities of color, and to support our heroic health care workers and providers.
• Strong support for small business: The agreement includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants, and includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The agreement also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street.
• Rental assistance: Secures $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium.
• Direct payment checks: Secures new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child, also ensuring that mixed-status families receive payments.
• Strengthened Earned Income Tax Credit & Child Tax Credit: The agreement helps ensure that families who faced unemployment or reduced wages during the pandemic are able to receive a strong tax credit based on their 2019 income, preserving these vital income supports for vulnerable families.
• Employee Retention Tax Credit: The agreement extends and improves the Employee Retention Tax Credit to help keep workers in the jobs during coronavirus closures or reduced revenue.
• Enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits: Averts the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits for millions and added a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work.
• Nutrition assistance for hungry families: $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure.
• Education and child care: The agreement provides $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open.
• Global Health: An additional $3.36 billion for a total of $4 billion for GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, recognizing that we are not truly safe until the whole world is safe from the coronavirus.

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