Dear Friend,

The United States is a beacon of religious hope and freedom. To solidify our stance as that beacon, we have a pressing need to fill the position of Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom. That is why I recently led a letter to President Biden addressing this need along with Senator James Langford (R-OK), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA), Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX).

Religious freedom, one of the most basic human rights for all people, has historically been an area of sincere bipartisan support and agreement in American foreign policy. That is why it is important that America remains a world leader in defending and promoting religious liberty for all people of any faith, especially in countries where people are violently targeted for their faith such as Egypt, China, and Syria. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right that Americans enjoy every day but that, sadly, is not respected by all governments or non-state actors around the world.

During May we celebrate the National Day of Prayer, a day where, no matter your faith, Americans joined in reflection and thought. I was happy to see many gathering from the steps of the Faulkner County Courthouse to the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, to embrace prayer.

This year, as our nation continues to recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, I pray for healing for ourselves, our families, friends, and communities that have suffered.

CORONAVIRUS ECONOMIC RELIEF FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (CERTS) GRANT PROGRAM WILL BE OPENING SOON

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Transportation, recently issued guidelines for the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act.

The CERTS Act appropriated to Treasury $2 billion to provide grants to eligible motorcoach companies, school bus companies, passenger vessel companies, and pilotage companies that have experienced annual revenue losses of 25% or more as result of COVID-19. CERTS grant funds are primarily used to cover payroll costs, but may also be used to cover the acquisition of services, equipment, including PPE and protection measures from COVID-19 for workers and customers; continued operations and maintenance of existing equipment and facilities; rent, leases, insurance, and interest on regular debt service. To learn more about the program please click here.

THE VA IS NOW OFFERING WALK-IN COVID-19 VACCINATIONS NATIONWIDE

All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and clinics that administer COVID-19 vaccines are now accepting walk-ins for eligible Veterans, spouses and caregivers.

This walk-in service ensures all Veterans enrolled in VA health care and those authorized under the SAVE LIVES Act have an opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccination from VA at a time convenient for them. To date, VA has vaccinated more than 2.7 million individuals, including over 60,000 individuals under the SAVE LIVES Act. For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations at VA, click here.

I encourage all central Arkansans to get vaccinated, after consulting with your doctor. To get your shot, you can make an appointment at a community pharmacy or visit a vaccine clinic through hospitals, health care providers, or your work. If you’d like to learn more about how to get a vaccine in Arkansas, please visit the Arkansas Department of Health website.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) AND RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND (RRF) UPDATES

The SBA is currently offering PPP loans originated by limited participating community financial institutions including Certified Development Companies, SBA Microlenders, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and Minority Depository Institutions until May 31, 2021 or until remaining funds are exhausted. Please note that not all CDFIs are participating in the PPP. If you are still looking for a PPP loan or PPP loan forgiveness, please visit the SBA website.

The SBA has also began accepting applications for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). Thus far the SBA has received applications from:

Over 187,000 restaurants, bars, and other eligible businesses in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. Territories.

97,600 of which came from restaurants, bars, and other eligible businesses owned and controlled by women (46,400), veterans (4,200), socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (30,800), or some combination of the three (16,200).

61,700 businesses with under $500,000 in annual pre-pandemic revenue, representing some of the smallest restaurants and bars in America.

If your restaurant is hurting from the pandemic, the SBA is still accepting applications. I encourage all struggling central Arkansan businesses to apply for these programs.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE

Governor Asa Hutchinson has recently approved the Pfizer vaccine to Arkansans ages 12-15. Parents can call the COVID-19 vaccination call line at: 1-800-985-6030 to make appointments.

Currently 47.2% of the total adult population in Arkansas is vaccinated, I applaud each of you that are doing your part to get your vaccine to have another tool in the fight against COVID-19. If you have not been vaccinated yet I encourage you to so we can meet the Governor's goal of 50% of state’s total population to be vaccinated by July 30, 2021.

There are places to get vaccinated throughout the state including recently at Travelers games.

I applaud all groups distributing and encouraging efforts to reach the Governor’s goal of having 50% of Arkansans vaccinated. The key to coming out of this pandemic and returning our communities back to the pre-pandemic way of life is by central Arkansans getting vaccinated.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT IS NOW OPEN

I have always advocated to increase broadband for Arkansans because it connects our communities to economic and educational opportunities.

Recently, the Federal Communications Commission took a step toward increasing accessibility country-wide by kicking off the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. This program will make available up to $3.2 billion worth of consumer discounts on broadband services and equipment like computers and tablets.

Eligible households will be able to receive a discount of up to $50 per month on their broadband utility bill, or $75 on qualifying Tribal lands. They will also be eligible for a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. To apply or learn more about this program please visit the FCC website.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill