Re: Response from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (fwd)

[robert <http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert>]

 > From: Noelle <noelle>
 > Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2020 11:24:10 -0700 (PDT)
 >
 > um I didn't think I mispelled my name

Maybe one of Zoe's staffers tried to type it in.

 >  > From: "Rep. Zoe Lofgren" <http://www.mail.house.gov/~Zoe.LofgrenCA19>
 >  > Date: 28 Mar 2020 14:18:49 -0400
 >  > 
 >  >  Dear Mrs. Gillird:
 >  > 
 >  >  Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about the economic 
 >  >  hardships many Americans are facing. I appreciate that you took the time to 
 >  >  share your thoughts with me.
 >  >   
 >  >  Thousands of constituents have contacted me to share the impact the 
 >  >  COVID-19 pandemic is having on their livelihood and financial well-being. 
 >  >  The pandemic has brought pain and changed life in Santa Clara County, our 
 >  >  country, and around the world. Too many Americans are worried about how 
 >  >  they will afford their next rent or mortgage payment or where they can find 
 >  >  basic supplies and medical goods. 
 >  >   
 >  >  I supported the bipartisan legislation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and 
 >  >  Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed on March 27 to provide 
 >  >  aid to Americans suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 
 >  >  bill will provide immediate relief by providing direct cash payments to 
 >  >  families, increasing unemployment benefits by $600 per week and providing 
 >  >  coverage to self-employed and gig economy workers, suspending payments and 
 >  >  interest on federal student loans through September, and prohibiting 
 >  >  foreclosures on federally backed mortgages for 60 days.
 >  >   
 >  >  The legislation also supports small businesses and nonprofits with hundreds 
 >  >  of billions of dollars that will also ensure continued employment for 
 >  >  America&rsquo;s workers. Ca small businesses need the $350 billion 
 >  >  lifeline in the CARES Act to help cover rent, mortgage, and utility 
 >  >  payments and keep workers employed so that they can pick up where they left 
 >  >  off when this crisis is over. In addition, the bill provides $10 billion 
 >  >  for small business emergency grants which will provide entrepreneurs and 
 >  >  family-sustaining employers in Santa Clara County with more immediate 
 >  >  assistance.
 >  >   
 >  >  The CARES Act also includes $25 billion for public transit agencies, like 
 >  >  the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, to keep service running 
 >  >  while keeping employees and passengers safe. An additional $3 billion in 
 >  >  grants will keep contracted workers employed at our nation&rsquo;s airports,
 >  >   including at where-I-live Mineta International Airport.
 >  >   
 >  >  In order to protect the health of Americans and combat COVID-19, the bill 
 >  >  infuses $150 billion investment in our healthcare system. As one of the 
 >  >  hardest hit communities in the country, we know that Santa Clara County 
 >  >  cannot afford to wait any longer. Our hospitals, health centers, and county 
 >  >  health officials specifically need the healthcare investment immediately to 
 >  >  add capacity, work toward universal testing, and procure more masks, gloves,
 >  >   and gowns to guarantee our healthcare workers have the appropriate 
 >  >  protections to do their jobs safely and effectively.
 >  >  This bill provides the funds, but no law can provide the leadership that is 
 >  >  needed to harness the power of American manufacturers to make the personal 
 >  >  protective equipment, the tests and the ventilators needed. The President 
 >  >  invoked the Defense Production Act but then inexplicably failed to actually 
 >  >  use it to Marshall American might to make this fight.
 >  >  This bill will provide much needed and awaited relief for American workers, 
 >  >  families, small businesses, and healthcare systems, but it is apparent that 
 >  >  more will need to be done. I will continue to work with my colleagues in 
 >  >  the House and Senate to address specific community needs in future 
 >  >  legislation.
 >  >   
 >  >  These are unprecedented times for our country, as well as the global 
 >  >  community, and everyone must take this seriously. You can find more 
 >  >  information about COVID-19, including ongoing resources about federal 
 >  >  policy and programs in response to the pandemic, at 
 >  >  https://lofgren.house.gov/coronavirus-information 
 >  >  ,https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=CA19ZL&crop=14085QQQ4461034QQQ2946013QQQ8065521&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2flofgren.house.gov%2fcoronavirus-information&redir_log=052812971547355
 >  >  , . I urge you to follow the guidelines provided by public health 
 >  >  officials and to take the necessary preventive steps to protect you and 
 >  >  your loved ones. Our ability to overcome this pandemic will depend on both 
 >  >  individual and government actions.
 >  >   
 >  >  Again, thanks for being in touch at this challenging time. 
 >  > 
 >  >  Sincerely,
 >  > 
 >  >  Zoe Lofgren
 >  >  Member of Congress Please do not reply to this message, as this inbox is 
 >  >  unattended. To contact me please visit http://lofgren.house.gov. If you 
 >  >  need immediate help with a Federal Agency please call my where-I-live Office at 
 >  >  408-271-8700.