Congressman Panetta Supports Passage of Comprehensive COVID Relief

This press release from Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) was published on 2021-02-27 and titled "Congressman Panetta Supports Passage of Comprehensive COVID Relief". It focuses on healthcare and touches on the economy, taxes.

Congressman Panetta Supports Passage of Comprehensive COVID Relief Congressman Panetta Supports Passage of Comprehensive COVID Relief Austin.Vitale@… Sat, 02/27/2021 - 12:08 Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) supported the House passage of H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan. The legislation includes provisions to protect farmworkers from COVID, help children safely return to the classroom, improve nationwide vaccine access, extend federal unemployment benefits, provide $1,400 economic impact payments, and more. Earlier this month , Congressman Panetta helped advance over half of the relief package following key mark-up sessions in the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Agriculture. The committee action spanned multiple COVID-related issues including extending unemployment insurance, delivering more direct assistance to Americans, and supplying vaccines to communities across the country. The COVID relief package includes Congressman Panetta's SOS Act , under which nursing strike teams are deployed to nursing homes and long-term care facilities experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks to protect staff and those in their care. Moreover, Congressman Panetta successfully secured $3.6 billion in funding for farmworker protections and support food processors, distributors, and producers during the pandemic. "As we approach a full year into this pandemic, our communities remain in undeniable need of comprehensive relief," said Congressman Panetta. "Following over 24 hours of hearings on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Agriculture, I was able to secure $3.6 billion in federal funds to keep Central Coast farmworkers safe as well as include my SOS Act in the final package to protect our nation's nursing homes from COVID outbreaks." "The American Rescue Plan This relief package will help families put food on the table, support farmworkers, help schools safely reopen, increase vaccine access, provide direct payments, extend unemployment benefits, and more. The quicker we enact this bill, the faster our economy can recover, and the more Americans we can help keep healthy and safe." Following today's passage of the American Rescue Plan, the Senate will need to take up the legislation. Reconciliation bills requires a majority vote to pass and are not subject to the Senate filibuster. Upon the House and Senate passage and reconciling any differences, the legislation will go to the President's desk to be signed into law. The American Rescue Plan includes the following provisions: State and Local Aid $350 billion to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments pay for unbudgeted expenses related to the pandemic. $26.3 billion for the State of California to respond to COVID, including an estimated: $85 million to Monterey County $53 million to Santa Cruz County $12 million to San Benito County $377 million to Santa Clara County Tax Provisions $1,400 payment for each taxpayer and each dependent. Individuals with adjusted gross income of up to $75,000 ($112,500 for head of household, $150,000 for joint filers) will be eligible to receive the full amount. Makes a robust investment in alleviating child poverty by increasing the Child Tax Credit (CTC) to $3,000 per child ($3,600 for children under 6). Excludes Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grants and Restaurant Revitalization grants from income, preventing unexpected tax burdens. Health Provisions Provides $250 million for "strike teams" to assist skilled nursing facilities and $200 million for infection control support at those facilities under Congressman Panetta's SOS Act. $46 billion for testing and tracing activities. $8.5 billion for vaccine activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. $7.66 billion to expand the public health workforce, including grants to state, local, and territorial health departments. $7.6 billion for community health centers. $6.09 billion for tribal health programs. $5.2 billion to support manufacturing and purchasing vaccines. $3.5 billion for block grant programs under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. $1.8 billion for testing and mitigation activities in congregate settings, such as prisons, long-term care faci