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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced $15 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support 18 community health centers across Kansas and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The grants, made available through the resources provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will be used to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the virus.

“Community health centers are on the frontlines of our fight against COVID-19 and remain critical to our ability to stop the spread of this virus,” said Sen. Moran. “I have been urging the administration to move quickly to make relief provided in Phase III available to our state, and these resources will provide timely support to Kansas health centers.”

HHS Grant Recipients

  • Atchison Community Health Clinic: $552,665
  • Community Health Center In Cowley County, Inc: $570,005
  • Community Health Center Of Southeast Kansas, Inc: $1,550,270
  • First Care Clinic, Inc: $646,985
  • Flint Hills Community Health Center, Inc: $712,670
  • GraceMed Health Clinic, Inc: $1,771,460
  • Kansas Department of Health And Environment: $634,385
  • Health Ministries Clinic, Inc: $777,545          
  • Health Partnership Clinic, Inc: $881,885
  • HealthCore Clinic Inc: $699,665
  • Heart Of Kansas Family Health Care, Inc: $605,210
  • Heartland Medical Clinic, Incorporated: $674,870
  • The Hunter Health Clinic Inc: $885,545
  • Konza Prairie Community Health Center Inc: $816,905
  • Prairiestar Health Center Inc: $821,825
  • Salina Health Education Foundation: $716,165
  • County of Sheridan: $560,810
  • Turner House Clinic Inc: $765,185
  • United Methodist Western Kansas Mexican- American Ministries, Inc: $741,470

# # #

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined his colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump urging a strong, coordinated federal effort to support our first responders by addressing the national shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). A shortage of PPE could lead to first responders unnecessarily being exposed to COVID-19 and could hamper the ability of emergency personnel to serve on the front lines during this public health crisis.

“[We] urge you to continue exploring every possible avenue to increase the supply of PPE to put more of this critical equipment into the hands of those who need it most, including first responders,” the senators wrote. “Specifically, this requires utilizing your authorities under the Defense Production Act to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity by incentivizing private firms to produce PPE, including respirators, gloves, gowns, and eye protection, and to allocate some of these resources to first responders.”

The senators concluded, “Without aggressive federal action, we risk leaving first responders across the country without the tools and equipment they need to keep both themselves and our communities safe during this crisis.”

Joining Sen. Moran on the letter were Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

The full letter can be found here and below.

April 6, 2020

President Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Trump:

As the government works to protect Americans from COVID-19, we must ensure that we provide first responders with the resources they need to keep our communities safe during this pandemic.  Reports from across the country indicate that first responders do not have the personal protective equipment (PPE) that they need to keep themselves safe as they respond to emergencies during this crisis.  As members of the Law Enforcement Caucus and the Fire Services Caucus, we urge you to lead a strong, coordinated federal effort to support our first responders and address this national shortage of PPE. 

First responders, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law enforcement officers, answer the call of duty by showing up to work at emergency scenes where they could be exposed to COVID-19.  This work inherently requires close contact with potentially infected and contagious individuals, and it is often first responders who transport these individuals to health care facilities.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that first responders who anticipate coming into contact with persons with confirmed or possible COVID-19 utilize PPE, like respirators, gowns, eye protection, and gloves, in these circumstances.

However, the national shortage of PPE has left fire companies and police departments across the country struggling to access this critical equipment.  A United States Conference of Mayors survey recently found that 88.2 percent of cities lack an adequate supply of PPE to protect first responders.

The dangerous consequences of this equipment shortage are clear.  When first responders are exposed to or become infected with COVID-19, they are often unable to work for at least 14 days.  Across the country, first responders are being taken off of the front lines in large numbers because they lack the necessary PPE and have been exposed to the virus.  Over 17 percent of the New York City Fire Department and 13 percent of the New York City Police Department are already out sick. Ensuring the health, safety, and availability of first responders is vital to our communities – any staffing shortage of emergency personnel impacts all of us.  If our first responders are sidelined, our communities immediately become less safe and less resilient. 

We appreciate that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act included $100 million for Assistance to Firefighters Grants to help first responders during this crisis.  However, this money is insufficient to provide first responders with the protection that they require.  To date, first responders have been unable to purchase sufficient supplies of PPE during this pandemic.  Fire, police, and emergency medical services departments are being told by their usual suppliers not to expect resupply for months.  The American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, and American Nurses Association recently stated in a letter to you that even with the infusion of supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile and other federal resources, there will not be enough equipment to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. If not even hospital personnel are able to receive the PPE that they need, our first responders will be left similarly unprotected as they continue to perform their essential duties.

As members of the Law Enforcement Caucus and Fire Services Caucus, we urge you to continue exploring every possible avenue to increase the supply of PPE to put more of this critical equipment into the hands of those who need it most, including first responders. Specifically, this requires utilizing your authorities under the Defense Production Act to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity by incentivizing private firms to produce PPE, including respirators, gloves, gowns, and eye protection, and to allocate some of these resources to first responders. 

First responders are among our nation’s most indispensable and dedicated public servants.  The COVID-19 pandemic will not prevent firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, or police officers from performing their public safety duties.  While first responders will not stop in their mission to protect us, we must uphold our end of the bargain to protect them and their families.  Without aggressive federal action, we risk leaving first responders across the country without the tools and equipment they need to keep both themselves and our communities safe during this crisis. 

# # #

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined 41 of his Senate colleagues to urge U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to ensure the continuity of our country’s food supply during COVID-19 by providing relief to farmers. The letter calls on the Administration to make temporary flexibilities on Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans permanent for the duration of COVID-19, and to ensure adequate and equitable access to credit during this period of market uncertainty.

“Americans always depend on our nation’s farmers to grow the food, fuel, and fiber that we all need, but that reliance becomes much more pronounced in times of crisis,” the senators wrote.

“To provide additional support for those whose operations are being affected by the coronavirus, we urge you to consider making emergency measures such as deadline extensions, loan payment deferrals, payment forbearance, and a full suspension of all current and pending foreclosure actions effective for the duration of the pandemic and subsequent economic recovery,” the senators continued. “Such measures are critical to avoiding disruption in the country’s food supply chain.”

Sen. Moran was joined by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), (D-Pa.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).

The full letter is below and here.

April 3, 2020

The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 205010

Dear Secretary Perdue:

We write to ask that you take action to ensure the continuity of our country’s food supply and support rural areas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by providing needed relief to farmers—including by ensuring that the temporary flexibilities on farm loans recently announced by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are made permanent for the duration of the pandemic and subsequent economic recovery, and also by ensuring adequate and equitable access to credit during this period of market uncertainty.

As you know, farmers across the country have faced many challenges in the past several years. The coronavirus pandemic is now causing additional disruptions, driving further declines in market conditions, prices, and export demand, and some experts believe that the consequences of the pandemic could hit rural communities particularly hard. In the past week alone, cattle producers have seen excessive price losses and corn growers have seen biofuel producers suspend purchases due to weaker fuel demand. These conditions have created cash flow challenges as spring planting season quickly approaches. 

Americans always depend on our nation’s farmers to grow the food, fuel, and fiber that we all need, but that reliance becomes much more pronounced in times of crisis. We appreciate the Department’s recognition of the challenges facing farmers and the announcement made by FSA on March 26, 2020, to provide flexibility for those repaying farm loans. These actions will help alleviate cash flow concerns as producers make important business decisions for their operations. We respectfully ask that you provide us with additional information as to how the Department plans to communicate these flexibilities to producers, the criteria that the Department will consider when determining whether a producer receives temporary payment deferral or forbearance, and how long these extensions will be in effect for producers responding to loan servicing actions.

To provide additional support for those whose operations are being affected by the coronavirus, we urge you to consider making emergency measures such as deadline extensions, loan payment deferrals, payment forbearance, and a full suspension of all current and pending foreclosure actions effective for the duration of the pandemic and subsequent economic recovery. The Department should also consider taking additional emergency actions – including the authorization of loan restructuring and loan balance write-downs – that were not included in the March 26 announcement. Such measures are critical to avoiding disruption in the country’s food supply chain.

We also urge you to prioritize and fully leverage existing programs at the Department that are well suited to resolving loan and credit impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Agricultural Mediation Program. This existing federal-state partnership has a proven track record of providing confidential and neutral forums to discuss and resolve loan and credit issues between farmers and their lenders. The program’s caseloads have steadily risen over the past eight years and can be expected to increase as the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic ripple through the rural economy.

We will continue working to provide for additional support for farmers and rural communities to address the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, we urge you to consider actions that will provide flexibility and temporary relief for borrowers and ensure adequate and equitable access to credit.

Thank you for your continued work on behalf of American farmers and ranchers. We stand ready and willing to work with you to help get farmers through these extraordinary circumstances.

Sincerely,

# # #

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined 40 of his Senate colleagues to urge Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to provide immediate assistance to rural hospitals and clinics by using resources included in the recently passed Phase III relief effort to sustain rural health providers.

The vast majority of rural hospitals have ceased performing elective procedures and seeing non-urgent patients. The COVID-19 crisis must take precedence, but these actions threaten rural hospitals’ financial viability. The members call for immediate steps to provide financial relief for rural providers.

“We are hearing from rural hospitals from across the country that have only days left of cash on hand – money needed for payroll and supplies,” the members wrote. “Mr. Secretary, our rural providers need your immediate assistance. Congress has provided you with the funding and flexibility. Now it is up to the administration to respond with rapid action to sustain rural providers. Any unnecessary delay will only worsen this situation. Therefore, we request you make the financial relief of rural hospitals a priority. Rural hospitals need access to financial resources immediately and in the most streamlined manner.”

Sen. Moran was joined by 40 U.S. Senators: John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.),Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

Sen. Moran was also joined by 81 U.S. Representatives: Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-Wash.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Liz Cheney, (R-Wyo.), Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.), Michael T. McCaul (R-Texas), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), John Joyce, M.D. (R-Pa.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Jim Hagedorn (R-Minn.), John Carter (R-Texas), Alex X. Mooney (R-W.Va.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Jack Bergman (R-Minn.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W. Va.), Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Brian Babin, D.D.S. (R-Texas), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), TJ Cox (D-Calif.), Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.), Cheri Bustos (D-Ill), Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.), Terri A. Sewell (D-Ala.), Robert B. Aderholt (R-Ala.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Scott Tipton (R-Colo.), Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Carol D. Miller (R-W.Va.), Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), John Moolenaar (R-Mcih.), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Russ Fulcher (R-Ind.), Ron Wright (R-Texas), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (R-N.C.), Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.), Ted S. Yoho, D.V.M. (R-Fla.), Jason Smith (R-Mo.), James Comer (R-Ky.), Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Collin C. Peterson (D-Minn.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Cynthia Axne (D-Iowa), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-Fla.), Elise M. Stefanik (R-N.Y.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Fred Keller (R-Pa.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Ron Estes (R-Kan.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Andy Harris, M.D. (R-Md.), Mark Green, M.D. (R-Tenn.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), and Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-Ohio).

The full letter is below and here.

The Honorable Alex Azar
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Secretary Azar,

Rural hospitals are the backbone of communities across our nation. These providers are on the frontlines combating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is imperative these health care professionals receive the immediate support they need to continue caring for our communities.

Small and rural hospitals across the nation are facing an acute financial crisis. Even before this crisis, nearly one-half of rural hospitals were operating at a financial loss, and hundreds were on the brink of closure. Now, they are confronting impossible choices during this public health emergency. The administration must focus on ensuring the financial viability of these providers. Failure to take fast and aggressive action will put the health of our communities at further risk.

In response to this crisis, Congress has enacted a series of bipartisan laws to rescue our economy and health care system. Most recently, we passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This legislation includes new funding to provide financial relief for hospitals. The CARES Act provides you with the flexibility to deliver assistance where it is needed most. Right now, some rural hospitals are reporting they are running out of operating funds. This jeopardizes their ability to maintain health care services during the COVID-19 outbreak. We cannot afford to ignore their pressing needs.

The vast majority of rural hospitals have also ceased performing elective procedures and seeing non-urgent patients. They know the COVID-19 emergency confronting our country must take precedence. However, these actions threaten their financial viability. We are hearing from rural hospitals from across the country that have only days left of cash-on-hand – money needed for payroll and supplies.

Mr. Secretary, our rural providers need your immediate assistance. Congress has provided you with the funding and flexibility. Now it is up to the administration to respond with rapid action to sustain rural providers. Any unnecessary delay will only worsen this situation.

Therefore, we request you make the financial relief of rural hospitals a priority. Rural hospitals need access to financial resources immediately and in the most streamlined manner. We also request you provide Members of Congress with a personal briefing by teleconference by April 3, 2020.

Thank you for your attention to ensuring the health and well-being of patients in rural America. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your efforts addressing our concerns.

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade and Consumer Protection – led a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to urge them to protect seniors from coronavirus-related scams. In response to the recent increase in these scams the letter to FTC Chairman Joseph Simons calls on the FTC to better inform seniors about coronavirus (COVID-19) scams and assist victims in understanding their recourse options to ensure that seniors are protected from those attempting to financially exploit them during the pandemic.

“At this time of heightened public fears, reports have highlighted that scams pertaining to the coronavirus are increasing, and that seniors—arguably the most vulnerable population to both the coronavirus and bad actors—have been targeted with calls telling them that the COVID-19 vaccination is ready when no such treatment currently exists,” the senators wrote. “Other reports have outlined how scammers have gone to the homes of elderly people to administer fake tests while also charging them and obtaining their social security numbers.  Although the FTC has sent warning letters to seven sellers of fraudulent COVID-19 treatments, we are concerned that further action is needed to protect the financial wellbeing of seniors—who lose an estimated $3 billion annually from financial scams.”   

In addition to Sen. Moran, the letter was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) , Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) , Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.).

The full letter is below and here.

The Honorable Joseph J. Simons
Chairman
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580

 

Dear Chairman Simons:

We write to express our serious concern following recent reports highlighting coronavirus (COVID-19)-related scams, including scams that target seniors, and to request information on what the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is doing to ensure that seniors are protected from those attempting to financially exploit them during the pandemic.

To date, there are more than 68,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., the most severe of which are among seniors.  At this time of heightened public fears, reports have highlighted that scams pertaining to the coronavirus are increasing, and that seniors—arguably the most vulnerable population to both the coronavirus and bad actors—have been targeted with calls telling them that the COVID-19 vaccination is ready when no such treatment currently exists.  Other reports have outlined how scammers have gone to the homes of elderly people to administer fake tests while also charging them and obtaining their social security numbers.  Although the FTC has sent warning letters to seven sellers of fraudulent COVID-19 treatments, we are concerned that further action is needed to protect the financial wellbeing of seniors—who lose an estimated $3 billion annually from financial scams. 

While the FTC has added information to its website to inform consumers about COVID-19 scams, we believe additional measures must be taken to educate seniors and provide consumers with information about how to seek recourse if they are targeted. Given the seriousness of this issue and the growing public health emergency, we urge the FTC to take action to better inform seniors about COVID-19-related fraud and assist victims in understanding their recourse options.

We also respectfully request that you respond to the following questions:

1. What efforts is the FTC currently undertaking to educate seniors about COVID-19-related fraud and how to protect themselves?

2. What additional measures is the FTC planning to better protect seniors and assist them should they become victims of COVID-19-related fraud?

3. How is the FTC working with other federal agencies to combat COVID-19-related scams?

4. What additional resources does the FTC need in order to better protect seniors from COVID-19 and other fraud and educate them on how to prevent it?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely, 

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) urged Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to defer all tariffs during COVID-19 through a bipartisan letter. He was joined by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“As numerous industries and individual businesses in the United States suffer extreme cash flow problems due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, we urge you to immediately issue a directive to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to defer all tariffs for at least 90 days, or until the crisis passes,” the members wrote.

The full letter is below and here.

The Honorable Steven Mnuchin
Secretary of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20220

Dear Secretary Mnuchin,

As numerous industries and individual businesses in the United States suffer extreme cash flow problems due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, we urge you to immediately issue a directive to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to defer all tariffs for at least 90 days, or until the crisis passes.

As you know, the coronavirus is causing major damage to the U.S. economy. While Congress has now enacted a wide variety of economic aid, many industries and businesses, including small businesses, will still face significant cash-flow problems. Retailers have already had to close more than 47,000 stores in the United States, and manufacturers have shut their doors to protect workers. We anticipate that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American workers at retail companies and the thousands of companies that supply them will be furloughed in the coming weeks. Additional measures to help businesses ensure they have enough liquidity to weather the crisis are necessary.

At such a moment when Congress has clearly indicated that deferring employer taxes should be a part of the U.S. response to the crisis, the Treasury Department should direct that all tariffs will be deferred for at least 90 days and, more broadly, until the companies paying them can emerge from the ongoing crisis.

Sincerely, 

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement after the Senate’s passage of the ‘Phase III’ relief bill, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

“Our country is facing a pandemic, and we must act now to make certain Kansans have the support they need to weather this storm. The CARES Act is far from perfect and includes many provisions I would not support in ordinary circumstances, but hospitals need supplies, small businesses need loans, farmers and ranchers need certainty and folks who are out of work, through no fault of their own, need relief. Through direct payments to families, assistance to hurting industries and strategic solutions to meet health care demands, Phase III will provide relief and resources to help make certain small businesses can keep employees on the payroll and reopen their doors when this pandemic has passed.

“Despite the bill’s many imperfections, I’m pleased a number of provisions I advocated for are included in this legislation, such as providing aid to the aviation industry and community banks and providing additional resources to the FCC as we utilize more broadband and telecommunications services to meet the economic and educational needs of families in this uncertain time.”

Sen. Moran Priorities included in the CARES Act:

  • Resources for SBA Loans: Improves the utility of the SBA’s 7(a) loan program by temporarily increasing the types of businesses, nonprofits, and lenders eligible to participate in the program, providing flexibility in the use of such loans, and instituting loan forgiveness measures to keep employees on the payroll.
  • Support for Health Care Providers: Supplies $100 billion in direct assistance to health care providers treating COVID-19 patients. Also increases payments to Critical Access Hospitals during this pandemic.
  • Resources for Critical Medical Supplies: Addresses medical supply shortages by providing $16 billion to procure personal protective equipment, ventilators, and other medical supplies.
  • Resources for Vaccines, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, and other Medical Needs: Provides $11 billion for producing a vaccine and other medical supplies to prevent the virus and help treat it.
  • Support for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Provides $4.3 billion to the CDC for public health preparedness and response.
  • Support for Critical Research on COVID-19: Provides resources for research and development efforts of the National Science Foundation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Increase to Food Access: Provides $450 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks purchase, store and distribute food to people in need.
  • Support for Veterans: Provides $19 billion for the Department of Veteran Affairs to treat COVID-19, purchase test kits and Personal Protective Equipment and support veterans during this pandemic.
  • Support for Farmers and Ranchers: Includes $9.5 billion for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide support to farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19, including livestock producers; and includes $14 billion to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation to address challenges in the agricultural economy.
  • Support for Manufacturers: Includes $50 million of additional funds to NIST’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, which provides direct support to the nation’s small and mid-sized manufacturers, and none of the funds provided under this legislation would be subject to the cost share requirement that is a normal requirement for this program.
  • Relief for Community Banks: Lowers the Community Bank Leverage Ratio, allowing banks to dip further into their capital reserves for increased lending during these times of stress. This will help banks quickly provide loans to those who need them.
  • Relief for Aviation Industry: Provides $10 billion in relief for airports, including $100 million for general aviation airports.
  • Support for Kansas Airports: Includes $56 million for essential air service (EAS), providing aid to the five EAS airports in Kansas.
  • Support for Tribes: Dedicates $8 billion in economic support to tribal governments, plus $1 billion for Indian Health Services.
  • Support for FCC COVID-19 Response: Helps the FCC prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus.
  • Removal of Regulatory Burdens: Fixes regulations in the paid leave mandate for small businesses.
  • Support for Economic Recovery: Provides additional funding support to the Economic Development Administration to address national economic injury impacts resulting from COVID-19.
  • Support for Rural Development: Provides additional resources for USDA’s Business & Industry Loan Program, USDA’s Distance, Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program and the USDA’s ReConnect Program to expand broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved areas.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) – Chairman and Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, with jurisdiction over the health and safety of Olympic athletes – today released the following statement in response to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to postpone the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games:

“Our athletes have worked years, some their whole lives, to be Olympians, and they deserve as much clarity as possible regarding the future of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Postponing the Games was undoubtedly a difficult decision, but it is one that puts the health and safety of athletes first. Now, the IOC needs to be transparent and unified with its plans moving forward. Athletes deserve clear answers to when the games will be held and how their health will remain protected – not just at the Olympics themselves, but during the trials and training beforehand. Clarity and transparency are vital steps to ensure the best possible outcome for the Tokyo Olympic Games.”

Chairman Moran and Ranking Member Blumenthal sent a letter on March 11, to Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, inquiring on the IOC’s plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Both senators have had conversations with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee regarding the health and safety of American athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympic Games. Through their roles on the subcommittee, Sen. Moran and Sen. Blumenthal will continue to make certain American athletes’ health is a priority at the games and trials.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today led a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to use his authority to make emergency payments to cattle producers. The letter was signed by U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arz.), John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.).

“It is important that we act quickly to provide assistance to cattlemen in these unprecedented times without unnecessarily intruding into the markets,” the senators wrote. “I urge you to use your authorities under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act to make a one-time emergency payment to help beef cattle producers during this crisis.”

The full letter is below and here

March 20, 2020

The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250

 

Dear Secretary Perdue,

We appreciate the emergency measures you have employed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We are concerned about the impact the outbreak is having on cattle markets. It is important that we act quickly to provide assistance to cattlemen in these unprecedented times without unnecessarily intruding into the markets. We urge you to use your authorities under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act to make a one-time emergency payment to help beef cattle producers during this crisis.

We propose making this emergency payment to producers on a per head basis using a payment rate applied to the fair market value of the cattle as determined by the USDA Chief Economist. The payment method ought to be structured to reflect programs previously administered by USDA, such as the Livestock Indemnity Program, Livestock Forage Disaster Program or Market Facilitation Program. We believe using an existing USDA program as a template gives USDA the ability to quickly and efficiently make funds available to beef cattle producers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

We understand that program integrity is paramount. The level of verification required for a producer to receive an emergency payment ought to be similar to the requirements under existing programs, including providing documentation of ownership of the cattle in question on a specified date. We also expect for you to establish program parameters and adjust the payment factor to both meet the current needs of the beef cattle industry and fit into budget constraints. 

Cattlemen across the nation are independent by nature and strongly support free market principles. If structured correctly, these emergency payments will inject capital into the beef industry while not causing distortions in the market. Further, making a payment on a per head basis is equitable to producers, benefits all segments of the beef industry, and is readily achievable by USDA.

As COVID-19 wreaks havoc on markets, we must strongly support cattlemen across the country by making this emergency payment. We stand ready to assist you as you continue to serve beef producers grappling with the market consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sincerely,

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Banking Committee – introduced the Community Bank Regulatory Relief Act, joined by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

The legislation would provide community banks with regulatory relief as coronavirus continues to negatively impact the economy through two commonsense changes:

  1. Lowering the community bank leverage ratio (CBLR), a ratio of capital to unweighted assets developed by federal banking agencies, from 9 percent to 8 percent. This would give community banks extra resources to meet their financial needs during the coronavirus pandemic.
  2. Delaying the implementation of the cumbersome Current Expected Credit Loss (CECL) accounting standards for community banks until December 2024, freeing them to lend more funds to consumers in times of economic stress.

“Over the coming weeks, Kansans need to be able to turn to their local banks for financial support,” said Sen. Moran. “Lenders should not be forced to tighten their lending practices when the economy needs it the most. These two sensible measures will help free up capital to ensure community banks are able to support customers who are struggling due to the effects of coronavirus, all at no additional cost to the taxpayer.”

“A combination of good management by industry leaders and prompt action by the Federal Reserve has given our system the liquidity it needs to combat the economic downturn, but current laws and regulations create perverse incentives for financial institutions to hold available funds rather than to responsibly disperse them to qualifying individuals,” said Sen. Cramer. “Without adding new money to the market, our bill frees already-existing funds by knocking down regulatory barriers, moving money from the bank to Main Street where it’s needed. I hope we include this legislation in the next relief package Congress considers.”

“Our first priorities right now must be protecting Americans’ health and hard-earned money from disruptions caused by the Wuhan virus emergency,” said Sen. Cotton. “This bill would shield small banks from cumbersome regulations to ensure they can continue operating and meeting the needs of their communities, including to help keep families and small businesses afloat, during this crisis.”

“As we work to combat the spread of coronavirus, we must ensure our community and regional banks have the flexibility they need to serve communities,” said Sen. Tillis. “This legislation will provide regulatory relief to these financial institutions and allow them to play an important role in our economic recovery." 

Click here for a one-pager on this legislation.

Click here to view the full bill text.

 

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