COVID Update
Coronavirus Legislation
As your Congressman, I will continue working with federal, state, and local officials to accelerate Louisiana's response efforts and our capabilities in fighting the COVID-19 virus.
On December 21, the House passed the Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus & COVID Relief Deal. The final COVID relief package is approximately $900 billion and focuses on targeted relief to small businesses, making Operation Warp Speed vaccines available, and reopening schools and the economy. Click here for a detailed summary of the COVID Relief Package.
Among other provisions, this package:
- Provides $284.5 billion dollars to reopen and extend the Paycheck Protection Program for first time and second time borrowers. Click here for detailed information on the PPP extension and other small business provisions.
- Provides $20 billion for purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it and provides $8 billion for vaccine distribution.
- Provides direct relief payments of $600 for both adults and dependents with safeguards to prohibit illegal aliens from receiving payment. Click here for a detailed Q&A on the direct relief payments, also known as economic impact payments.
- Individuals making up to $75,000 a year will receive a payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, in addition to $600 per child.
- Temporarily extends a number of unemployment programs created by CARES Act that expire Dec. 31, 2020 and provides unemployed individuals an additional $300 per week for 10 weeks from December 26, 2020-March 14, 2021. Click here for more information on the extension of unemployment programs.
- Includes $82 billion in funding for schools and universities to assist with reopening for in-person learning that also includes $2.75 billion in designated funds for private K-12 education.
- Includes $25 billion in temporary and targeted rental assistance for individuals who lost their source of income during the pandemic and extends the eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021.
The Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act
On April 24, President Trump signed H.R. 266 - the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act into law. This legislation includes $310 billion to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program, $10 billion for the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grants, $50 billion for the Disaster Loans Program account, $75 billion for reimbursement to hospitals and healthcare providers to support the need for COVID-19 related expenses and lost revenue, and $25 billion to expand capacity for COVID-19 testing.
The CARES Act
On March 27, President Trump signed The CARES Act - the third Coronavirus bill - into law. This package will provide further assistance to our economy, including direct relief payments to most American taxpayers. CLICK HERE TO READ THE BIPARTISAN PHASE III CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BILL
- For a detailed summary of the CARES Act, please review this document compiled by my office.
Additional COVID-19 Relief Legislation
On March 18, President Trump signed H.R. 6201 – the second Coronavirus bill into law. This bill requires free access to coronavirus testing, ensuring there are no cost barriers to these tests. It also included $1.2 billion to help cover the costs of testing, including $142 million to directly help our servicemembers and veterans.
On March 6, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act into law. This bill provided $8.3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for federal, state, and local responses to the Coronavirus.
COVID-19 Testing
Click here for a list of COVID-19 testing locations across Louisiana.
Other Resources
- CDC
- Louisiana Department of Health
- U.S. Small Business Administration - Disaster Loan Assistance
- Louisiana Department of Labor - Unemployment
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Disinfectants for use against Coronavirus
- CDC Travel Health Notices
- FAQ: Coronavirus Legislation
Click here for the latest updates from Congressman Steve Scalise.
Scalise Statement on First Presumptive Coronavirus Case in Louisiana