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Palmer Reacts to Passage of the CARES Act

March 27, 2020

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921

Palmer Reacts to Passage of the CARES Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which will inject upwards of $2 trillion into the economy in the form of unemployment benefits, small business loans, and other relief efforts. It also aims to increase cash resources for hospitals and to expand COVID-19 testing. Congressman Gary Palmer released the following statement:

"Winston Churchill once said, ‘It is no use saying, "We are doing our best. You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary."' The legislation passed today was not done in the best way or under the best circumstances, but we believe it was what is necessary at this time," Palmer said.

"Federal, state, and local governments have taken a number of necessary steps to attempt to reduce the impact of COVID-19. It has caused great disruption to our lives and great harm to our economy. The bill we passed today helps out-of-work individuals and families make ends meet and helps businesses survive so that there will be jobs available when this is over. It saves jobs by providing needed grants and loans to small businesses so that they can meet payroll and rent.

"The CARES Act contains $140 billion for health care providers, our front-line against the spread of this deadly virus, and it rushes needed supplies and equipment to them so that lives can be saved. The bill also ensures that COVID-19 testing will be available with no out-of-pocket costs. It also starts to address one of my major concerns, which is studying how to bring much of our manufacturing efforts back to the United States to ensure we are less dependent on foreign countries, especially in a crisis.

"Unfortunately, there are also harmful parts of the CARES Act that unnecessarily drive up the national deficit. For instance, it should not have included $25 million for the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, or $75 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, or millions of dollars for other programs that have absolutely nothing to do with fighting COVID-19 or with helping families and businesses. The fact that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Democrat colleagues held up passage of the bill for three days to get funding for these programs and others exposes the fact that they fully intended to exploit this crisis to advance their left wing agenda.

Palmer concluded, "While I am disappointed by the misguided and disingenuous conduct of Pelosi and her Democrat colleagues, I am very encouraged by the perseverance and loyalty people are displaying towards each other across Alabama and our nation. Healthcare providers are risking their lives, people are supporting charities, and people are coming to the aid of the elderly and others who need a helping hand. And even as we practice social distancing, we are doing it for the purpose of protecting each other. The economy will recover and our communities and our nation will recover. With God's help, we will beat this pandemic and be stronger for it."

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