WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement on House passage of H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – a $2 trillion federal relief package to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic:

“New Jersey and the nation is facing the dual threat of a grave health emergency and an economic crisis. Working families, health care providers and small businesses urgently need relief, and help is on the way,” said Congressman Norcross. “We’re providing direct assistance of up to $1,200 for individuals, expanded unemployment benefits for impacted workers, relief for small businesses to keep up with payroll and bills and a massive influx of resources for health care providers and local governments to respond to the crisis. I will continue to work with South Jersey officials and health care leaders to ensure our communities get the tools and supplies we need to combat the outbreak and keep residents healthy and secure.”

Norcross spoke on the House Floor before the vote in support of the CARES Act and thanked frontline workers for their bravery and sacrifice.

Here are just a few of the initiatives in this historic piece of legislation that will benefit the residents of New Jersey.

• A $150 Billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund:  Creates a $150 billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide states and localities additional resources to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. It is estimated that our state of NJ will receive approximately $3.44 billion in desperately needed funds to benefit our state’s residents.
• $260 Billion in Dramatically Expanded Unemployment Benefits:  Includes numerous provisions to improve unemployment benefits including providing an additional $600 per week for the next four months, providing an additional 13 weeks of federally funded benefits, and expanding eligibility to include workers in the gig economy and self-employed workers.
• Immediate Direct Cash Payments to Lower and Middle-Income Americans:  Provides for immediate, direct cash payments to lower-and middle-income Americans of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child, beginning to phase out at an annual income of $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a household. These payments will provide individuals with the cash they need right now to survive with much of the economy currently shut down.
• More Than $375 Billion in Small Business Relief:  Provides more than $375 billion in small business relief, including $349 billion for low-interest and forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees and keep them on the payroll; $17 billion for debt relief for current and new SBA borrowers; and $10 billion in immediate disaster grants.
• Approximately $200 Billion for Our Hospitals, Health Care Workers, and Health Research:  Provides an investment of about $200 billion in our hospitals, health systems, and health research, including expanding funding for the personal protective equipment desperately needed by our health care workers, including ventilators, n95 masks, gowns, gloves, etc.

A summary of the bill is available here. 

Norcross is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee and serves as Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee.

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Contact: Carrie Healey, Communications Director
carrie.healey@mail.house.gov