Press Releases
Pingree Votes to Deliver Pandemic Relief, Fully Fund Federal Government Through September 2021FY 2021 Appropriations Package Provides for Shipbuilding at BIW and modernization at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Washington,
December 21, 2020
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement regarding her vote for H.R. 133, an omnibus spending bill consisting of all 12 fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills, coronavirus relief, and additional authorizations: “While this package is insufficient, I will vote yes because half a loaf is better than no loaf at all. Just days before Christmas, thousands of Mainers are in a state of crisis—teetering on the brink of eviction, relying on food banks for their next meal, or terrified about how they will find a job after losing their employment or small business. Our neighbors desperately need help. It’s incredibly disappointing that this bill caps stimulus checks at half the amount the House passed in May and it does not include comprehensive assistance to state local governments barely treading water. However, it would be irresponsible not to support overdue funding for testing and vaccine distribution, nutrition assistance, supports for students to learn safely, an extension of unemployment, and a new round of funding for Maine’s struggling small businesses—as well as support for Bath Iron Works, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and other integral parts of Maine’s economy. Our nation needs this boost. “This greatly needed support is nine months late and this crisis will likely continue for months more. I look forward to working with the Biden Administration to pass funding for state and local governments and more direct aid to Americans.” Highlights of the COVID-19 relief package include: Stimulus checks: An additional round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child. Unemployment: An additional 11 weeks of eligibility for unemployment insurance, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, and a $300/week federal supplement through March 14th, 2021. Small Businesses: New and targeted assistance, including:
Public Health: $73 billion to support public health initiatives, including:
Nutrition: A 15% increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through June 30, 2021 and additional funding and flexibility in other anti-hunger programs. The package slso includes $175 million in emergency funding for Older Americans Act nutrition programs. Housing: $25 billion for emergency rental assistance and an extension of the CDC eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021. Agriculture and Forestry:
Education
Broadband: $7 billion in investments to increase access to broadband, including a new Emergency Broadband Benefit to help millions of students, families and unemployed workers afford the broadband they need during the pandemic, $300 million for rural broadband, and $250 million for telehealth. Transportation: $10 billion for state Departments of Transportation, $2 billion for motorcoach companies, school bus companies, and ferries, and $1 billion for Amtrak. Coronavirus Relief Fund: An extended deadline to for state and local governments to spend CRF allocations from the CARES Act through December 31, 2021. Highlights of the FY 2021 omnibus include:
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