Local Congresswoman Votes in Favor of New House Stimulus Package

A new $3 trillion stimulus package passed by the House of Representatives would provide nearly $2 billion for renters and homeowners.

Under the Heroes Act, state and local governments would receive billions of dollars to help maintain payrolls and make up for lost revenue due to stay-at-home orders.

Small businesses would see additional relief under an expanded Paycheck Protection Program that will last to December 31st.

The act is more targeted to underserved communities.

Families would also receive additional help in the form of a second stimulus check of $1,200 for individuals, up to $6,000 per family. Crucially, this bill corrects a major oversight in the last round of stimulus payments by ensuring that immigrants who file taxes with an ITIN number are also included, ensuring every community is part of the recovery.

“These are truly unprecedented times. Businesses are closing or laying off staff. Families are being forced to make difficult choices about paying their bills or buying food. Our communities are suffering,” said Judy Chu (D-Pasadena).

Immigrants were left out of the initial stimulus package. Although, Gov. Gavin Newsom later said they would receive checks there was no movement on that issue which led to a protest at City Hall.

Both the White House and Senate Republicans have said they will immediately cast the bill aside, calling it “dead on arrival.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., dismissed it on Thursday as a “liberal wish list” and called it “an unserious product from an unserious majority.” The Trump administration has similarly issued a threat, with the White House saying that it would veto the bill.

In order to ensure the economy is reopened in a safe and responsible way, the bill provides $75 billion for additional testing and contact tracing.

“We also need struggling families to know they’re secure in their homes,” Chu said. “So the Heroes Act provides a total $175 billion to help with mortgages, property taxes and rent payments, and it extends unemployment insurance to cover workers until January 31, 2021. It also improves PPP by ensuring full forgiveness, and includes more support and tax credits for businesses to help with rents, bills, and salaries so that more workers stay paid and know their jobs are waiting for them. But, as we saw with previous relief efforts, the most vulnerable will still fall through the cracks. That is why I led the effort to provide $10 billion for essential emergency assistance to vulnerable children, families, and individuals.”