As we continue navigating response efforts and the implementation of coronavirus relief programs, I wanted to first take a moment to recognize and thank all of Nevada’s doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and first responders for showing poise and adaptability in the face of the biggest medical challenge of our lifetime. I would also like to thank you, the people of Nevada’s Second District, for doing your part to slow the spread. Combating this pandemic will require a team effort at all levels, and it’s encouraging to see everyone going the extra mile and adopting an ‘all hands on deck’ response.
As the situation continues to develop, my staff and I remain actively engaged with our state and local partners on the ground in CD-2. Learn more about the latest updates surrounding our efforts this week below:
Healthcare Update
My staff and I continue reaching out to large hospitals, family practices, and rural healthcare providers throughout CD-2 to make sure we’re aware of any critical updates or requests that should be communicated to local stakeholders. These efforts include addressing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other medical supply issues, tracking test kit updates and allocations, and providing guidance on COVID-19 legislative updates by answering specific questions and communicating local priorities to relevant state and federal departments.
We’re also in regular contact with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials regarding any medical supply updates, allocations, and arrivals in Nevada.
Labor Update
We’re continuing to monitor the Department of Labor and the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s (DETR) implementation of new federal programs to address the recent surge in unemployment claims. We’ve also been running down answers for constituents and businesses regarding any changes that might affect them. Click here to head over to my website for more information and resources related to Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) and other benefit programs Congress and President Trump enacted to further assist those who are suddenly out of work due to COVID-19.
Constituent Services Update
While my staff and I continue to observe state and federal guidelines related to social distancing and teleworking, I want to remind you that your CD-2 offices in Washington, Reno, and Elko are open during regular business hours and remain fully operational. I also want to remind you that we’re continuing to assist with casework issues during this time, especially for those whose lives have been impacted or disrupted by coronavirus.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, more than 90 countries around the world have imposed travel restrictions, leaving many Nevadans and citizens across the country stuck overseas. Recently, our office was successful in working with the State Department to help 20 Northern Nevada residents return home from Peru after providing them with the information they needed to receive repatriation assistance. We’ve also been helpful in providing guidance and assistance to constituents filing for unemployment insurance.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a similar casework issue, please do not hesitate to contact us, we’re ready to assist you with any help you might need.
Economic Update
While federal funding awarded to Nevada in response to impacts caused by COVID-19 continues to be allocated, to date, preliminary figures indicate nearly $4.5 billion is in the pipeline for relief to Nevada to be used toward unemployment assistance, Economic Impact Payments, federal emergency response efforts, the deployment of the National Guard, education relief, housing grants, and additional response efforts. We will continue to monitor all federal funding allocated to Nevada and keep you informed as we learn of those updates.
Looking out For All Small Businesses
The intent of the CARES Act was to carry out the President’s promise to deliver much-needed relief to our nation’s small businesses and their employees through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), not to pick winners and losers by deciding which jobs are worthy of rescuing and which aren’t – but that’s exactly what the Small Business Administration (SBA) is doing through an interim rule released on April 2nd.
Currently, the SBA’s rule on the PPP blocks small business gaming license holders from receiving the same relief currently being offered to other small businesses. This discriminatory guidance is based on an antiquated policy rendering small businesses ineligible for critical loan assistance if they derive more than one-third of their revenue from legal gaming activities.
Since this rule was released, my staff and I have been working to get it fixed for Nevadans and the thousands of other Americans whose livelihoods have been put in jeopardy. After my conversations with officials at the SBA were met with bureaucratic resistance, I began working directly with officials at Treasury and the White House to get this issue on the President’s radar.
If the Administration refuses to correct this issue on behalf of our nation’s job creators, its inaction will directly devastate communities across 43 states, especially in states like ours where many of our communities rely on the gaming industry for jobs, economic growth, and revenue to invest and improve our neighborhoods, roads, public safety, and schools.
In light of the Trump Administration formally requesting an additional $251 billion for the PPP this week to help small businesses keep employees on payroll, we expect the Administration to do the right thing and help small gaming operations and the hundreds of thousands of hardworking Americans they employ. Without federal assistance, these job creators will be shuttered, unable to support their communities, and unable to get Americans back to work when the pandemic subsides.
I am pleased to see President Trump’s recent willingness to investigate and fix this issue, and hope he directs officials at the SBA to immediately take action. Please know my staff and I will continue to do everything within our power to get this rule fixed now.
In Case You Missed It:
Interview with KTVN Channel 2
I joined Channel 2’s Bryan Hofmann this week to discuss some of the misconceptions being reported on the CARES Act, what it actually does, and when people can expect to see assistance. Click here or on the video above to learn more.
Interview with Nevada Newsmakers
I also joined Nevada Newsmaker’s Sam Shad to discuss the latest updates surrounding coronavirus and the work my staff and I have been doing. Click here or on the video above to view the first segment of our interview and here for the second segment.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most. For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
