Delegation Reaction to Coronavirus Relief, Gov’t Funding Passing Congress

The grand compromise in H.R. 133 will fund the federal government and provide COVID-19 pandemic relief was passed by Congress on Monday. It establishes a $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit, provides $600 direct stimulus payment, with subsidies for businesses, help with schools, and health care, as well as, eviction relief. It adds $1.4 trillion in government agency funding as part of the appropriations process, also.

Here is how Oklahoma’s delegation voted and reacted to the measure, if they issued a statement, H.R. 133 now awaiting President Trump’s signature to go into law.

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe – Voted Yes

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Senator James Lankford – Voted Yes

“Oklahomans and Americans have endured a year with too many challenges. That includes waiting for relief that Congress should have provided months ago. We have agreed for months that another relief package is needed for those directly affected by Covid, the unemployed, small businesses, and educators. Today, we have finally passed needed targeted relief that provides direct payments to Americans in need, extends the pandemic unemployment program for those out of work, and provides support for small businesses who are struggling, including our essential nonprofits. Most importantly, it provides funding for every Oklahoman to receive any of the Covid vaccines for free if they choose to take it.

“Those who are hurt the most by the pandemic get the most help in this bill. But, the bill also includes all twelve appropriations bills to fund every program in the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year, an energy bill, tax policy, homeland security bills, an end to surprise billing in hospitals, and more. There are many essential bills in this package, but each of them should have been done individually over the past seven months, rather than crammed into the last legislative week of the year.

“The process to get to this final bill has been the ugliest I’ve seen in my time in Congress. Excuses about Covid, the election and a failure to even try the committee process has stacked up a year’s worth of work for the last week of the year. This isn’t sustainable. Amendments were behind closed doors, arguments were conducted through the media and the bill grew larger the longer it stayed in the dark. This process needs sunshine.

“It took three short-term spending bill extensions in the last week to get to a final agreement. Over and over I reminded the Senate that if we had passed my bipartisan Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, we would have had much less drama. We need to get back to actually conducting the appropriations process on time and allow it to happen in the public throughout the year, not behind closed doors with four people, four days before Christmas. It’s time to get back to legislating again. The bill includes hundreds of essential and important policies that should have been considered individually, rather than combined into one enormous bill.”

Congressman Frank Lucas – Voted Yes

“Nine months ago, Congress passed the largest rescue package in American history. The bipartisan CARES Act provided more than $2 trillion in relief for American workers and families, resources for healthcare providers and professionals, and emergency lending to lessen the economic impact of the coronavirus. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives renewed its commitment to the American people and passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, providing critical assistance again to individuals, families, and businesses as well as important funds to aid in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines.

“Oklahomans can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to the unprecedented response of scientists and doctors across the globe, Oklahoma is on the verge of receiving another safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine- produced by Moderna and just recently approved for use by the FDA. Just as science has responded so has the American economy, but unfortunately, many in our communities are still under financial strain.

“The package passed today provides Paycheck Protection Program loans helping the hardest-hit businesses, delivers additional federal unemployment aid, and gives individuals and families more direct stimulus- all a bridge through the next few months until mass immunization occurs. It also provides funding for K-12 schools to reopen safely and responsibly as well as an investment of $69 billion for the procurement and distribution of coronavirus vaccines.

“In addition to the relief for millions of Americans, the Consolidated Appropriations Act also properly and fully funds government operations until September 30, 2021. Ensuring the government is responsibly funded assures the American people that vital programs are fully operational for the next fiscal year.

“As my colleagues and I depart Washington for Christmas, I’m reminded of the responsibility we share to the people we represent: In the midst of a pandemic, Congress worked together to find a consensus to fund the government and deliver crucial COVID relief. I hope Oklahomans across the Third District have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in the coming days, and I stand ready to help those who need assistance as we continue to lift our communities up from the throes of the pandemic.”

Congressman Tom Cole – Voted Yes

“Although I wish Congress had acted sooner, I am grateful that lawmakers ultimately fulfilled one of their most fundamental responsibilities by passing legislation to fully fund the government for fiscal year 2021 and also deliver desperately needed and long-awaited pandemic aid,” said Cole. “While the resulting bill is massive and far from perfect, at the end of the day, it reflects the priorities and best interests of the American people for the months to come. Moreover, it prevents the added pain of a government shutdown amid the ongoing hardships our country and people have faced this year.

“In completing the annual appropriations for the whole of government, I am encouraged by the increased funding devoted to the National Institutes of Health to further support vital biomedical research and pandemic preparedness, which must remain at the forefront for years to come. I am also proud that it provides the funding and resources for our nation’s defense to tackle the evolving challenges of our day.

“After months of needless stalling by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats, I am relieved that targeted coronavirus relief will finally be able to make its way to Americans struggling because of the pandemic. This includes finally extending the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses keep their employees on the payroll, renewing unemployment insurance for unemployed workers and providing a second round of economic impact payments to most Americans. And rightly so, the coronavirus aid supports vaccine distribution as more start to become available.”

Congressman Markwayne Mullin – Voted No

“I just voted no on the massive, $2.3 trillion spending package. It’s 5,593 pages and we only had a few hours to read it before we were forced to vote on it. We should govern better than this.”

 

 

Congressman Kevin Hern – Voted Yes

“It’s been a long weekend in DC. I’ve spent the weekend working to ensure key priorities were included in this funding deal, like funding for the new Tulsa VA hospital, construction of the border wall, raises for the military, and funds for the long-awaited Tulsa levee improvements. Typically, our federal government is funded through 12 appropriations bills each year. This year, 10 one-sided appropriations bills passed the House, littered with poison pills. Because Pelosi was unwilling to work with Republicans, the bills never passed the Senate. Tonight’s bill included funding for the entire government, and those unnecessary policy riders were removed, maintaining the pro-life and 2nd amendment protections that are a top priority for me and my constituents. I am proud to see bipartisan progress on this legislation and am happy to bring home these victories after a season of bitter partisan divides.

“Regarding the COVID relief funds, frustration and confusion have been the theme of all my conversations with my colleagues on either side of the aisle for the past six months. In July, Republicans pushed for the same COVID relief provisions that were included in today’s bill, but Pelosi refused to work across the aisle before the election, baffling even members of her own party. This bill, although six months late, includes much-needed funding for small businesses and families.  I am heartened that the unrelated policy riders previously included in negotiations were removed from the final version of this bill, essentially back to the language we began with this summer. Pelosi’s petty vendetta against President Trump is the only reason we are voting tonight and not six months ago.

“With our expanded Republican Conference in the new year, I hope to see more similar bipartisan work and good-faith legislating happen in the House. For now, I am ready to get back to my wife and celebrate the miracle of Christmas with my loved ones.”

Congresswoman Kendra Horn – Voted Yes

“Today’s bipartisan stimulus bill will deliver critical, targeted relief where it’s needed most,” said Congresswoman Horn. “While the package doesn’t include everything I fought for, it does include extended unemployment benefits, small business relief, support for schools, funding for health care and vaccine distribution, direct stimulus checks, and more. Though I am disappointed it took so long to bring both parties back to the table to reach this agreement, today’s bill is an important step forward. I worked for months with the Problem Solvers Caucus to build bipartisan, bicameral support for a deal. It required us to set aside politics and address the greatest needs in our communities in a timely, targeted, and transparent way. There’s more to do to address the health and economic impacts from COVID-19. We can’t stop here. Finding common ground takes hard work, but it’s worth it to do the right thing for the people and communities we represent.”

 


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  1. Deb Schaer, 23 December, 2020

    In other words, they didn’t read the bill. It’s a travesty.

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