Rep. Beatty Marks 100 Plus Days Since House Passage of The Heroes Act, Calls Out White House and Senate GOP's Deadly Delay

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 25 -- Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, issued the following news release on Aug. 24:

Today, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) marked 101 days of inaction by Senate Republicans and the White House on The Heroes Act, H.R. 6800. If enacted this comprehensive piece of legislation would expand strategic testing, tracing, and treatment required to reopen our economy and schools safely, provide strong support for our frontline heroes in state and local government, and put money in the pockets of the American workers, families, and small businesses.

"As our country faces the worst economic and public health crisis in history, workers, families, and small businesses in Ohio's Third Congressional District and across the nation are hurting and looking to the federal government to deliver the resources they need to protect their lives and livelihoods," Beatty said. "Yet, Republicans and the Trump Administration continue to delay, distract and deny--even as COVID-19 spirals further out of control. Congressional Democrats have come to the table willing to compromise, but President Trump and Senate Republicans refuse to do even the bare minimum needed to defeat the virus and protect struggling families and small businesses." Beatty implored, "On behalf of my constituents, Ohio families, seniors, veterans, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, I call upon Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and the White House to get serious about the needs of our fellow citizens, stop the political posturing, and reach an agreement that puts the American people first."

Among the strong solutions to combat the COVID-19 crisis that House Democrats delivered in The Heroes Act 101 days ago, are:

* Putting money in the pockets of workers and families with a second round of direct payments of up to $6,000 per household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs, and extending $600 weekly federal unemployment payments through January 31, 2021.

* Supporting small businesses by strengthening the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) to better reach underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types, as well as providing $10 billion for COVID-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.

* Strong support for our heroes with nearly $1 trillion for state and local governments on the frontlines to pay the healthcare professionals, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers, and other vital workers who risk their lives every day to keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs. The Heroes Act will also establish a $200 billion 'Heroes' Fund' to ensure that essential workers receive hazard pay.

* Another $75 billion for the testing, tracing, and treatment we need in order to have a science-based path to safely reopen our country and help make sure that every American can access free coronavirus treatment.

* Guarantee additional support for Americans, including for:

- Housing security - with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments, and other housing-related costs.

- Food security - with a 15 percent increase to the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.

- Health security - with COBRA subsidies and a special enrollment period in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges for individuals without health insurance.

- Workplace security - requiring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop science-based infection control plans for all workplaces and preventing employers from retaliating against workers who report problems.

* Assistance for schools, students, teachers, and families with billions in urgently-needed funding that experts say is needed so that schools have the resources to safely reopen, whether with virtual, hybrid, or in-person instruction--and at the same get parents back to work.

* Safeguarding our democracy with new resources to secure safe elections, an accurate Census, and preserve the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Of note, over the course of 101 days of unconscionable Republican inaction, 4.2 million more Americans have become infected, over 89,000 more people have died, and tens of millions of workers remain unemployed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.