Idaho US Senator Mike Crapo, voted in favor of the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which the Senate passed by a vote of 96-0.
The CARES Act is the third package the Senate has passed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Senator Crapo says the CARES Act takes a number of steps to preserve and protect the economic foundations of our nation and to help on the front lines of fighting the epidemic:
- Direct financial help for the American people including cash payments, expanded access to unemployment insurance and delayed tax filing deadlines;
- Rapid relief for small businesses and incentives to keep their employees on payroll;
- Significant steps to stabilize our economy, keep businesses open and protect jobs;
- Bolstered telehealth capabilities and additional flexibilities;
- Increased support for health care services at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities;
- Ensured patient access to any future COVID-19 vaccine by waiving cost-sharing requirements in private and federal health insurance programs;
- Expansion of and increased funding for the Strategic National Stockpile to include personal protective equipment; and
- More support for the brave health care professionals and the patients fighting the coronavirus on the front lines.
