WASHINGTON, DC-Last week Congressman Robert Aderholt traveled to Washington and vote for legislation to support the nation’s small businesses, providing an additional $310 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program. The funding we passed will ensure small businesses get the financial relief they need as we work to reopen the economy. As plans for reopening are being discussed in Washington and across the country, there are talks of a Phase 4 stimulus that could be introduced in the House of Representatives in the near future. The talks are preliminary right now, but as the details are made public we will get a better idea of what the next steps will look like.Getting Back to Business
Back here in Alabama, Governor Ivey instituted a new executive order that went into place at 5pm yesterday afternoon that loosens some restrictions on businesses, recreation, and health care services. Aderholt wrote the Governor last week and gave her his recommendations on how to begin that process. He is happy that the Governor took his recommendations seriously and implemented some changes that are beneficial for everyone in our state.
The congressman thinks this is a solid step in the right direction and paying close attention to the results of this new order will be incredibly important as we continue to move forward and reopen our state. In case you did not hear the Governor’s plan, here are a few highlights of what is changing:
- You are now encouraged to stay at home, not mandated.
- Most retail stores may open, but they can only reach 50% occupancy and must abide by social-distancing and sanitation rules.
- Beaches will be open but no gatherings of 10 people or more are allowed, and 6 feet of separation is required.
- Medical procedures are allowed but are subject to change if medical resources are needed to treat COVID-19 cases.
For more information on this order from the Alabama Department of Public Health, please click here.
Coronavirus Update
As mentioned earlier, Congress passed a bill last week that will go towards replenishing the PPP and shoring up hospitals and health care providers that are suffering because of COVID-19. The Small Business Administration was able to re-start the PPP with the additional $310 billion we passed, and as of this week small businesses can again apply for the PPP. Additionally, the bill included:
- $75 billion for reimbursement to hospitals and healthcare providers to help bridge the gap for COVID-19 related expenses and lost revenue.
- $50 billion for the Disaster Loans Program Account.
- $25 billion for necessary expenses to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests.
- $10 billion for Emergency Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) grants.
Media Release/ Office of Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt
