Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney tackles the bureaucratic questions behind COVID-19.
Representative Cheney held a virtual townhall yesterday morning, held by Wyoming Business & Industry Federation. Rather than discussing the medical side of the virus, Cheney focused on the recent passage of the CARES Act, and how soon Wyoming residents can expect to see relief in their personal and company bank accounts. $350 billion dollars and over a million loans have already been earmarked for distribution, including $100 billion for hospitals. Cheney, along with Senators Enzi and Barrasso, are working to ensure much of that funding goes to rural hospitals.
Another focus of the Wyoming delegation is to secure more near-term relief for the agriculture and energy industries, mainly thru suspending regulations and offering extensions for certain obligations.
The biggest accomplishment of the CARES Act, according to Cheney, is the Payroll Protection Program, which will offer loan coverage for payroll, rent, mortgage, and utilities for small businesses – and those can be forgiven if everyone remains on the payroll until the crisis is over. And the first wave of personal relief checks – $80 million dollars – should be deposited in bank accounts this week.
Cheney says that living with COVID-19 will likely become like living with the flu – an annual disease that will require vaccination to keep everyone safe. Things are moving quickly, there is a way forward, and our personal commitments are ensuing that happens.
