Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García Votes For Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act

March 27, 2020

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) released the following statement today after voting in support of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), a $2.2 trillion stimulus bill to address the COVID-19 pandemic:

"I voted in favor of this bipartisan rescue bill because maintaining the health, safety, and economic security of working families across the Chicagoland area remains my top priority as we work to address the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of families are worrying about their jobs and putting a roof over their head. Others who have been laid off, furloughed, or had their hours cut are wondering how far they can stretch their last paycheck. Parents are worried about childcare and the future of their children's education. Small business owners are trying to keep the lights on and pay their employees during these uncertain times.

"Let me be clear: this bill does not include everything it should have, but it takes unprecedented steps to protect workers, bolster our health care system, and stabilize our economy. The final agreement was improved by including provisions from the Democratic House proposal, and has stronger pro-worker provisions and more stringent corporate oversight on industry bailouts.

"Still, I am disappointed that the CARES Act did not address the needs of some immigrants and provide larger checks to families. The exclusion of the undocumented from this bill weighs heavily on my heart. Everyone should be protected. While we secured coverage for virus testing and treatment, the Senate majority excluded them from the financial relief provided to others.

"During the course of these past two weeks, I listened to hundreds of my constituents, economic experts, medical professionals, community advocates, non-profit and labor leaders, and elected officials from every level of government. I took your feedback and worked to improve the Senate's original bill.

To put a freeze on evictions and foreclosures, I introduced the Rental Eviction Moratorium Act and authored a letter with 76 Members of Congress to urge mortgage lenders to stop filing foreclosures during the pandemic. I was glad to see both provisions reflected in the final agreement.
To support Chicago's public transit agencies like Pace, CTA, Metra, and the Regional Transit Authority, I led over 52 of my colleagues in fighting to keep our transportation systems going strong. The final bill has $25 billion for transit agencies to stay afloat and keep their workers.
To prevent a blank-check bailout for airlines and keep aviation employees and contract workers at O'Hare and Midway on payroll, I authored a letter urging the House and Senate to put stringent restrictions on any airline bailout including limits to stock buybacks, CEO executive pay increases, and assurances that contract workers like cabin cleaners and food caterers would keep their jobs. I was glad to see many of those measures included as well.
To help small businesses like those on 26th Street, Paseo Boricua, and throughout my district cope with the immediate financial disruptions, I authored a letter urging the stimulus include direct-cash assistance in the form of grants to help small businesses, especially those that are minority-owned, stay afloat and keep their employees. I was glad to see the bill has over $350 billion dollars in loans, and $10 billion in grants for small businesses.
To protect working-class families from the long-term effects of adverse credit ratings, I authored a letter that 74 of my colleagues signed, urging credit reporting agencies not report adverse credit events during the crisis including missed rent, car or credit card payments. Unfortunately, this was not included.

"The CARES Act establishes the most significant unemployment insurance in the history of our country and provides direct-cash assistance to the vast majority of working Americans making less than $99,000. Significant financial assistance is given to employers, especially small businesses, to help retain their workforce while communities shut down to prevent the spread of the virus. The bill also includes hundreds of billions in funding to manufacture protective equipment for doctors and nurses, purchase equipment to test and treat patients, and develop medicine, and vaccines to combat COVID-19.

"To beat this pandemic, Americans and the world must come together and act swiftly to stop the spread, treat the sick, and stabilize the world economy. The CARES Act takes tremendous steps towards that end and I was glad to see it passed today. Going forward we must all heed the advice of medical professionals, and each do our part to end this pandemic."

RESOURCES PREPARED BY SENATE DEMOCRATS

Summary of the Bill,

Section-by-Section Summary of the Bill,

Summary of the Bill's $340 Billion in Emergency Appropriations,

RESOURCES PREPARED BY HOUSE COMMITTEES

Below are materials prepared by House Committees.

Fact Sheets prepared by the Ways and Means Committee

Fact Sheet and FAQ on the Bill's Unemployment Compensation Provisions

FAQ on the Bill's Rebates (Direct Cash Payments to Americans)

Explainer on How The Bill's Rebates Work in Terms of Social Security

Fact Sheet prepared by the House Small Business Committee

Fact Sheet on the Bill's Small Business Provisions