Kilmer Votes to Support Frontline Workers and Families Impacted by Coronavirus

Hey, folks Derek Kilmer here in our nation's capital where I just got back from the House floor. We voted on the Heroes Act, which is the latest coronavirus response legislation. I voted for it and let me tell you why. Let's start with what we know. We know that educators and students have really seen their lives turned upside down by this virus. I talked to a teacher earlier today in Grays Harbor, who had received a lay off notice and they need the resources so teachers can continue to teach and students can continue to learn and this bill provides. As well as some help to our college students. We know that small businesses on main streets all over our region, all over our country, are really struggling right now. I talked to an employer the other night and he said it took me 32 years to build my business and he said I got a lot of families who depend on me for a paycheck and I'm deciding right now as to whether or not to just fold the tent. This bill provides some help expanding assistance through the small business administration, including that Paycheck Protection Program and making some improvements there, as well as some new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs and that's a big deal. We know that families are really hurting right now, and this bill provides some help to make sure that folks aren't facing eviction or foreclosure or going hungry for something that's not their fault. We know that workers on the front lines in hospitals and police and fire departments and grocery stores and elsewhere are facing extraordinary strains right now and we should have their backs and make sure that they're not losing jobs. This bill does that and also provides hazard pay for those who are on the front lines. We know from public health experts that we need testing and contact tracing to get our economies safely reopened. And we know from economists across the political spectrum, including the Chairman of the Federal Reserve just this week,that more action is needed by the federal government so that we don't have a full-scale depression. They all agree that things will get worse without further action from the federal government. Now listen this bill is certainly not perfect. I have not found much in our nation's capital that is perfect, but this bill will undoubtedly take steps to give our communities the support that they desperately need. And now that it's passed the House on my hope is that Senate will take this bill up and we can get assistance out to the folks who need it. I will keep working for folks in our region so they get the help that they need and that we can get through this. So we'll keep at it. Stay well everybody and I'll see you soon.