Last, week, Congress advanced vital relief for our small businesses, along with funding for our hospitals, nursing homes and testing. That interim package crucially replenished the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Emergency Advance so that our small businesses remain afloat and their employees on payroll for the duration of this crisis.

In light of this, I hosted an information session for small business owners in our Capital Region to provide updates on our recent legislation, share available resources and answer questions from businesses on programs like PPP and EIDL. I was joined by Dan Rickman, Syracuse Deputy District Director and Jeff Boyce, Albany Branch Manager, from the Small Business Administration, and Kate Baker, Interim Director at the Albany Small Business Development Center. I thank the panelists for taking the time out of their day to offer their insights as well as the dozens who shared their questions, comments and concerns with us during this conversation.

These discussions on the federal support available to Americans following legislative action in Congress are important to inform those in our district and beyond. But, it is also important to examine the instances where federal response has failed.

My office and I have fielded thousands of calls and emails from those across our Capital Region unable to access the funds promised to them, whether through stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, PPP loans or other programs. While those in our communities are not receiving the aid they so desperately need, large corporations are raking in these dollars before small and medium businesses even have a chance to apply. Roughly 300 public companies have received $1 billion from the PPP. Several dozen of these companies have more than 500 employees, the supposed cut off for receiving assistance from this program.

These actions and discrepancies are repugnant. Congress must to do everything in its power to make sure that our small business owners are able to get the support they need and keep their employees on payroll, not further lining the pockets of the wealthy and well-connected. Last week, the House voted to establish a select committee on the Coronavirus pandemic that would allow for transparency and accountability in the allocation of these funds.

Americans deserve to know where these multi-trillions in tax-payer dollars are going. Demanding our government be held accountable for this fair distribution is not a partisan issue; it is a necessity. These dollars must be spent carefully and effectively in order to save lives and overcome this crisis as quickly as possible. I will continue fighting so that, when it comes time to advance our fourth COVID-19 stimulus package, we know with certainty that these resources will reach those most in need.

While ensuring adequate assistance for our small businesses and workers is essential, there are many other individuals and institutions who also require support.

In particular, I have been working with my colleagues in the House and Senate so that our next funding package helps those struggling with mental illness and substance use disorder.

• On Monday, I introduced legislation that would fund $100 million dollars each year over the next 5 years to research the effects of COVID-19 on Americans, specifically our health care providers, who are putting their health and safety on the line each day to protect our communities. We must support these heroes and provide them with the necessary resources to recover from this pandemic.
• On Wednesday, I led in a bipartisan, bicameral letter requesting Congress support our behavioral health organizations that provide care to those suffering with mental illness and substance use disorder. During this time of emotional and economic hardship, these facilities are needed now more than ever.
• On Thursday, I led in a bipartisan letter calling for additional resources for suicide prevention efforts. I fought to address suicide prevention in the CARES Act and secured $50 million for these efforts. But, more aid is needed to support our friends, family and neighbors during and after this difficult time.

In these coming days and weeks, I encourage you to continue to share your thoughts and experiences. Your insights are important as I coordinate with local, state and federal officials on how best to tackle this crisis. My office is here to help in any way we can. 

As always, thank you for reading.