Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Michael J. McQuerry
December 21, 2020                                                       202-215-8524

PRESS STATEMENT

CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT WORKS WITH DEMOCRATS TO SECURE SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENTS IN H.R. 133, CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2021, WHICH INCLUDES $900 BILLION IN EMERGENCY SPENDING TO PROVIDE COVID RELIEF

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding the passing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the $900 billion in COVID relief funding:

“This $900 billion in emergency coronavirus relief protects the lives and livelihoods of Virgin Islanders and the American people. Among its provisions, the bill includes:

• Direct payment checks: Democrats secured a new round of $600 in direct payments for individuals making less than $75,000 per year. $1,200 for couples making less than $150,000 plus and additional $600 for each child in the family. 
• The Virgin Islands will be reimbursed by the federal government for the cost of the stimulus checks, like it was for the first round of rebates earlier this year.  
• Enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits: Democrats averted the sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits for millions and added a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work.
• Assistance to the unemployed will be provided to the Virgin Islands in the same fashion as States.  
• $325 billion for small businesses including extension of PPP and additional provisions to assistance.
• $80 billion to assist schools.
• $25 billion for renters and extends the eviction moratorium through January 31, 2020.   
• $69 billion for vaccine testing and distribution.

“In addition to providing funding for COVID relief, H.R. 133 also funds the federal government until next Fall.  I am pleased that this funding includes:

• Passenger ferries in the Virgin Islands will be eligible for new federal assistance in response to the impact of Covid-19 on the passenger transportation sector. 
• Annual assistance to territories from the Department of Interior is increased by more than $3.8 million.  
•  Reauthorizes the federal projects for navigation in the harbors of St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) and St. Croix (Christiansted). The reauthorization of these projects will provide the harbors access to federal resources for maintenance dredging and improvements to navigation systems which will allow them to accommodate more and larger cruise ships over the long-term and better compete in the Caribbean market.

• This Omnibus also funds programs in all federal agencies including Commerce, Justice, Labor, Housing and Education.  

“We are disappointed that Republicans have refused to recognize the need to honor our heroic frontline workers by supporting robust funding for state and local governments.  State and local governments need much more funding to prevent senseless layoffs and critical service cuts.  The agreement does provide some new targeted funds for government functions that will help ease their budget burdens.

“This emergency relief bill is an important initial step, which must be built on under the Biden-Harris Administration.  We must move forward in a science-based way to meet the needs of the American people during this time of great suffering.  In 31 days, when Joe Biden enters the White House, more help will be on the way.

“The news of the vaccine is an important and hopeful development that takes us closer to ending this crisis.  If you have not already, please make an appointment to receive the vaccine, as it is a precious resource.”

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