The Issues

 The American people have made extraordinary sacrifices as we pull together to tackle this deadly pandemic. Unfortunately, Speaker Nancy Pelosi is focused on passing legislation for her personal far-left priorities. Instead of working together to help American families and small businesses, the bill (H.R. 6800) that passed in the U.S. House last week, wastes precious time and money, as we are making progress in combating Coronavirus. 

This $3 TRILLION piece of legislation is focused on anti-work provisions and ensuring undocumented immigrants receive a government check and NOT about how Americans put food on the table and where THEIR next paycheck is coming from.

It’s clear that more work is needed to help our nation recover and respond to the Coronavirus, but this bill is not that. Let’s unleash the American spirit and focus on practical solutions, such as legal liability protection for employers, medical workers, schools, universities and businesses that will be trying to reopen in the coming weeks. 

I am a strong defender of the 2nd Amendment. I strongly support an individual right to own guns, which is clearly protected by the Constitution. I believe the 2nd Amendment enables law-abiding citizens throughout the country to own firearms to protect themselves and their families. I oppose federal licensing of law-abiding gun owners and national gun registration. I am completely opposed to any action that puts any level of restrictions on our right to keep and bear arms. 

I will be a champion for freedom and a fierce defender of our Constitutional rights. While defending our 2nd Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens, I will work to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them. 

 Safeguarding our nation’s food supply is critical for the safety of our families. I support the President’s use of the Defense Production Act to ensure American families have a reliable supply of food to put on their tables.  I applaud and commend the agriculture industry as they adapt quickly to help fortify our nation’s food supply.

By signing this executive order, President Trump is ensuring that vitally important food processors are able to continue to operate safely to meet the needs of the American people, while protecting workers as these processors follow the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

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 PPP Update and Reopening the Economy

Last week President Trump, along with Congress, replenished the Paycheck Protection Program that will provide crucial support to small businesses, health care providers and farmers. The program has resumed this week. I encourage small business owners to be sure to check with your financial institution to obtain an update on where you are in the process, if your loan request has not been finalized. We must stay strong. 

The president is right; we can continue to apply maximum pressure on the Coronavirus while reopening our economy safely and responsibly. This is not a choice between lives and livelihood; we can do both with federal, state and local leaders working together. 

The U.S. Treasury unveiled an online tool app that allows people to track their check or add information so that the IRS can do a direct deposit. The “Get My Payment” tool will allow non-tax filers or people who don’t receive refunds via direct deposit to add their bank information so their payments can be deposited directly. Direct deposits have begun. The Treasury said paper checks will begin to be issued later in the month. 

Click here to view the Get My Payment Tool. 

I agree with President Trump about his consideration of withholding the financial support the United States provides to the World Health Organization (WHO). Congress allocated about $123 million to the WHO for fiscal 2020. The WHO was wrong to oppose the president’s travel restrictions that were imposed on China earlier this year. Furthermore, it appears the WHO should have sounded the alarm sooner about the Coronavirus. Congress should investigate the WHO regarding protocols that they may have missed or neglected. 

Small Businesses, Independent Contractors and Self-Employed

The CARES Act focuses on helping small businesses during this unprecedented time. The link below includes important information on how the government is responding to Covid-19. On April 10th independent contractors and the self-employed can apply for assistance. Apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap. Apply through your banker. They will streamline the process. http://gop-waysandmeans.house.gov 

I appreciate the urgency of the legislative work that Congress is preparing to do in response to the  Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As Congress crafts this critical legislation over the next few weeks, the health of everyone, as well as the voices of small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives which have been adversely affected by financial losses stemming from the Coronavirus, must be heard. I also anticipate, and will support, a decision by Congress, to provide assistance to Americans who have been financially harmed as a result of this public health crisis. 

The Supplemental Appropriations that Congress adopts must be relevant to the crisis at hand. Legislation must provide resources and assistance for those in need as it relates to Coronavirus preparedness and response. 

This is not the time for Congress to play partisanship games with spending on “pork laden” items or projects that does not pertain to this Coronavirus outbreak. We must look out for the American people who work hard and play by the rules.