Pat Roberts: Stimulus, small-business aid will help Kansas weather coronavirus crisis
Whether you’re in rural Kansas or an urban city in our state, the coronavirus has taken its toll on every Kansan. I continue to make it my priority to ensure our state remains strong during this crisis.
As federal and local governments aim to get the country back on track, the White House has established a bipartisan task force, which I am proud to serve on, to counsel the President on re-opening the United States in light of the coronavirus.
Congress has come together to pass three coronavirus relief bills, which include funding to find a vaccine and treatments for the coronavirus, increased unemployment benefits, investments in healthcare to support our hospitals and healthcare providers, expanded testing and paid sick leave. The legislation also provides a financial bridge to households and businesses during this historic economic crisis.
Just last week, millions of Americans received stimulus payments through direct deposit. Those who qualify and have not received their payment will see a deposit in the coming weeks or a check in the mail thereafter.
Since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27th, Kansas has started to reap the benefits. For our state alone, the CARES Act has provided $15 million in community health center grants, $325 million in relief funding to healthcare providers, $49 million in funding to Kansas’ public universities and $53 million in grants for airports throughout Kansas.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, ensuring the well-being of farmers and ranchers across Kansas and the entire United States is critical during the coronavirus pandemic. The agriculture and food supply chain of our nation is complex and crucial.
In the weeks following the CARES Act becoming law, I know farm country is anxious to see how the legislation will affect them. I have visited with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and applaud USDA’s plans to support producers and others impacted. I am confident that our nation’s farmers, ranchers and growers will continue to deliver a safe and affordable food supply to consumers despite these challenging times.
While extraordinary steps have been taken to protect Kansans’ health and economic survival, we still have work to do. One such area is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP delivers much needed relief to Kansas small businesses by providing forgivable loans for businesses that keep employees on their payroll. In Kansas, 26,245 businesses received PPP loans — totaling more than $4.28 billion.
Across the country, the CARES Act provided $350 billion for these small business loans. In just two weeks the money for the program ran dry. I’m pleased the Senate could come together and swiftly pass an additional $310 billion for these loans this week. Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and ensuring funding for the Small Business Administration’s loan program is crucial for our small businesses in Kansas to get the help they need.