Dear Friend, Last Monday, the House of Representatives and the Senate came together and passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act. On Sunday, President Trump signed this bill into law. This legislation includes a COVID-19 relief package, as well as a separate bill to fund the government. This long-awaited targeted COVID-19 package is the result of a bipartisan effort by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide the workers, small businesses, families, and people of Arkansas with much-needed relief. The annual FY2021 bill serves to fund critical government projects and programs. More specifically, this provides yearlong funding for infrastructure, education, national security and defense, and many other crucial government projects and programs. The COVID-19 element of the bill extends the Paycheck Protection Program, provides unemployment relief, issues Economic Impact Payments, and serves to bolster the economy and direct aid to our families, small businesses, and hard-working Americans. On Saturday, I spoke with Fox News' Alicia Acuna about why I supported this bipartisan legislation and how it will give the American people and the American economy much-needed support during these difficult times. In response to the challenges created by COVID-19, this legislation specifically will: Bolster the Economy: $325 billion for small businesses, including $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, dedicated set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions, and expanded PPP eligibility for 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including destination marketing organizations, and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters. $20 billion for new EIDL Grants for businesses in low-income communities. $15 billion in funding for entertainment venues, movie theaters, and museums that are experiencing significant revenue loss. Expands list of eligible expenses to include covered operations; property damage costs that are not covered by insurance; covered supplier costs; and covered worker protection expenditures (PPE). PPP borrowers will be allowed to take tax deductions for covered business expenses. $13 billion to support farmers and the agriculture sector, including assistance under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and funding directed to programs that support local producers and new and beginning farmers. Support Working Families: Economic Impact Payments of $600 for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year, as well as a $600 payment for each child dependent. $286 billion for an additional $300 per week in unemployment insurance through March 14. $25 billion for rental assistance (to be distributed through state and local agencies) and an extension of the CDC eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021. $69 billion for vaccine procurement and distribution and monies sent to states for testing, tracing, and COVID mitigation programs. Incentivizes employers to give employees $5,250 per year toward their student loans. Employees will no longer have to pay a tax on the amount given towards their student loans for the next five years. Provide Flexibility for our Governors: State and local governments will now have until December 31, 2021, to spend aid provided by the CARES Act. $7 billion total in broadband funding $2 billion to replace foreign-manufactured equipment $300 million for rural $250 million for telehealth $82 billion for aid to schools and universities, including K-12 and higher education. $20 billion for the purchase of vaccines that will make the vaccine available at no charge for anyone who needs it, $8 billion for vaccine distribution, and $20 billion to assist states with testing.

Last week, the Arkansas Department of Health laid out their detailed plan for the vaccine distribution process.

Phase 1 is set to have 3 waves of distribution:

Phase 1-A

Target: Health care workers in high-risk settings and people at significantly high risk for severe disease due to underlying health conditions. Hospitals will be ranked by their number of employees and number of COVID-19 cases.

• Hospital on-campus employees and staff in high-risk settings or performing high-risk procedures on confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients
• Hospital off-campus employees and staff in high-risk settings or performing high-risk procedures on confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients
• First responders (EMS, fire, and law enforcement) at highest risk to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients via high-risk public exposure and procedures

Phase 1-B

Target: Essential workers.

• K-12 school employees including teachers, aides, janitorial, bus drivers, and other staff (who cannot teach or work remotely)
• College/university faculty & staff (who cannot teach or work remotely)
• Daycare employees
• Grocery store workers
• Meatpacking plant workers (particularly poultry)
• Essential DHS & DWS offices (those who cannot work remotely)
• State correctional workers (who cannot work remotely)
• Jail/detainment facility workers
• Truck drivers
• Utility workers (who cannot work remotely)
• Public-facing postal workers
• Essential government workers

Phase 1-C

Target: People at high risk for severe disease.

• Adults of all ages with high-risk medical conditions (chronic disease)
• Adults 65 years of age or older
• Adults with intellectual or cognitive disabilities
• Adults who are incarcerated or detained
• Adults living in group homes, congregate settings, or in crowded settings

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s website.

Every year, I am always delighted to join my good friend Chris Schaffhauser and United Parcel Service (UPS) during the holidays.

I always enjoy riding around and delivering packages with their team. This year, we went through the Riverdale area and spoke to a few small business owners and employees along the way. It was a treat getting to talked with my friends in the area while making deliveries.

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to participate in a call hosted by Mr. Jamie Gates, Executive Vice President of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.

This call, which featured 43 attendees, including business owners, elected officials, bankers, and educators, was an excellent way to inform the community about the COVID-19 relief legislation which passed through the House last Monday.

I spoke on the much-needed relief which would be provided to small businesses through an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Impact Payments for Arkansans and their families, and critical aid for those unemployed in the area throughout the state.

It was a pleasure participating in this call with a fantastic group of individuals from all across the Conway Area. I am grateful I was able to share some of the key components of upcoming relief with this Chamber.  

Sadly, every 14 hours, someone in Arkansas dies by suicide. Every 84 minutes, somewhere in the United States, a veteran commits suicide – 17 losses per day. We lose more than 6,000 veterans every year due to suicide. 

These numbers are especially disheartening because they represent the men and women that have worked hard to serve our country. It is our duty to protect those who have selflessly served to protect the American people.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the completion of all 2020 priorities established under the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) to end suicide through robust community engagement and a connected research ecosystem tasked with preventing suicide among veterans and all Americans.

President Trump released the PREVENTS roadmap in June 2020, and to date, PREVENTS has accomplished all nine priorities for the year, including:

• Launching REACH as a national public health campaign aimed at empowering all Americans to play a critical role in preventing suicide.

• Garnering signatures from 42 States and one U.S. Territory on a PREVENTS State Proclamation outlining agreed-upon practices and steps to engage their citizens in suicide prevention.

• Partnering with VA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes to create a Wellbeing in the Workplace Pledge and Guide to encourage companies to prioritize the mental health and wellness of their employees.

I will continue to vote in favor of legislation that supports veteran mental health programs because one life lost to suicide is one too many, and my office stands at the ready to assist in any way that we can; please call us at (501) 324-5941.

Help is available 24/7 through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Sincerely,
 
Representative French Hill