Action in Congress 

Congress has passed three phases of aid and relief for American families, small businesses, and hospitals as we work to fight coronavirus and its effects on our economy. Below is an overview of phases 1, 2, and 3 of Congressional action on Coronavirus:

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Phase 1

H.R. 6074: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act


Phase 1 focused on support for public health related purposes. In total, this legislation provided approximately $8.3 billion for:

- Funding for the scaling up of testing and research for treatments and vaccine development.

- Resources to our national, state, and local health agencies to purchase necessary medical equipment to respond to coronavirus

H.R. 6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Phase 2 primarily provided support to Americans most immediately affected by social distancing guidelines recommended by public health officials:

- Allowed for paid sick and medical leave for workers, $1.25 billion in emergency nutritional programs, support for small businesses, and increased access to telehealth for medicare beneficiaries.

- Provided additional funding to further increase the availability of testing. 

Phase 2

Phase 3

H.R. 748: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

Phase 3 was the largest and most comprehensive of the three bills. It sought to provide economic relief to the broader American economy. In total, the CARES Act provided more than $2 trillion in support for:

- Direct payments to the American people, emergency loans and resources to small businesses, and increased and expanded unemployment insurance benefits.

- Support and resources for healthcare providers, including $100 billion for hospitals, and investments in efforts to develop new medicines, therapeutics, and vaccines. 

H.R. 266 Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act

Phase 3.5 continued efforts from Phase 3 to provide funding for small businesses, hospitals caring for coronavirus patients, and testing efforts. This bill:

- Provided funding for the Small Business Administration's successful Paycheck Protection Program to provide forgivable for small businesses, as well as funding for the Small Business Administration's economic injury disaster loans and grants..

- Supported the healthcare heroes on the front lines and our healthcare system.

- Resources to expanded testing and support continued efforts to reopen communities.

Phase 3.5

Thoughts?

Have thoughts on these bills or on what should come next from the federal government? Let me know: