WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement today in support of Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act:
“Today I voted for critical relief legislation that will provide much needed funding for our small businesses and our healthcare providers across Ventura County — and across the country.
“The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act will provide $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program or PPP, $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, $75 billion for healthcare providers and Personal Protective Equipment, and $25 billion for testing supplies and contact tracing.
“Many Ventura County small businesses know that the initial roll out of the PPP was rocky. I’ve been working with my Democratic colleagues to improve the program so that the small businesses who need assistance are the ones who get it. While Republicans were not willing to address all of the issues we fought to fix, I’m pleased that we were able to reserve resources for smaller lenders who tend to work more closely with the small businesses in our community.
“The bill also includes dedicated funds for improving testing availability nationwide, because testing and contact tracing are absolutely crucial as we carefully assess how to reopen our economy. The availability of rapid and reliable testing is the key to reopening and getting our schools and our businesses and getting all Americans back to work and getting our economy back on the right path.
“We have a lot more work to do, but this is another important downpayment toward addressing the pandemic and providing our economy with the support it urgently needs.”