Adams Doubles Down on Challenge to NC Delegation
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May 13, 2020
“If you say you believe in the COVID-19 Relief priorities that are in the HEROES Act, then you should vote for the HEROES Act.”
Washington– Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) reiterated her challenge to members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation that she first made during a Town Hall last night.
"Testing. The Payroll Protection Program. Rural broadband. Meals for students. Education. SNAP funding. Telemedicine. Worker Safety. Relaunching the American Economy. Based on their comments at our town hall last night, these are priorities that matter to the Republican members of North Carolina's Congressional delegation. The same priorities just so happen to be in the HEROES Act package that they said they oppose," said Adams. "According to their words, the Republican Congressmen want to take the bold, decisive action that's needed to save our economy and secure a bright future for American families. So, if they say they believe in the COVID-19 relief priorities that are in the HEROES Act, then they should vote for the HEROES Act."
Earlier today, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that the US economy will experience "longer-term concerns" if Congress fails to address risks of a prolonged recession in the wake of COVID-19.
Background:Last night, five Republican members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation joined all three Democrats on a town hall hosted by Nexstar, which owns multiple affiliates in the Carolinas including WJZY in Charlotte and WNCN in the Triangle.
During last night's town hall, multiple Republicans outlined their priorities – priorities that align with provisions in the HEROES Act, the pandemic package introduced in the House yesterday.
During a series of questions, Congresswoman Adams came back and stated the obvious to her colleagues: "It sounds like we're going to have your support [for the HEROES Act], and I appreciate that."
ABOUT THE HEROES ACT
In addition to resources for our state, local, tribal and territorial governments, the Heroes Act provides transformative, far-reaching support to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people and the life of our democracy.
Rep. Adams previously authored, advocated for, or supported many provisions in the HEROES Act, including student loan debt relief, increased funding for SNAP, $1.7 Billion in additional funding for HBCUs, funding for broadband and technology access, support for meals for students, strong financial assistance for the USPS, workplace security, and more.
Additionally, there is almost $3 Billion in support for the State of North Carolina.
An overview of the HEROES Act is below:
- Provides strong support for our heroes by establishing a $200 billion Heroes' fund to ensure that essential workers across the country receive hazard pay.
- Commits another $75 billion for the testing, tracing and treatment we need in order to have a science-based path to safely reopen our country and helping ensure that every American can access free coronavirus treatment.
- Puts money in the pockets of workers with a second round of direct payments to families up to $6,000 per household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs and extending weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January.
- Supports small businesses by strengthening the Payroll Protection Program to ensure that it reaches underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types and responds flexibly to small businesses by providing $10 billion for COVID-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
- Ensures further support for North Carolinians and all Americans, including for:
- Health security – with COBRA subsidies and a special enrollment period in the ACA exchanges for those without insurance.
- Workplace security – requiring OSHA to ensure that all workplaces develop science-based infection control plans and preventing employers from retaliating against workers who report problems.
- Housing security – with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments and other housing-related costs.
- Food security – with a 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
- Protects the life of our democracy with new resources to ensure safe elections, an accurate Census, and preserve the Postal Service.
Congresswoman Alma Adams represents North Carolina's 12thCongressional District (Charlotte) serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture. Additionally, she serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Education & Labor Committee, where she serves as Chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. During her first year in office, she founded the Adams Hunger Initiative to help the tens of thousands of food insecure 12th District families.
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