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Costa Joins Problem Solvers Caucus Releasing Framework for Next COVID-19 Relief Bill

September 15, 2020

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PSC Presser

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) joined the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus – 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans – in unveiling its "March To Common Ground" framework to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 relief package and encourage negotiators to get back to the table. 

"After over a month of negotiations, we are no closer to getting relief to the American people," said Costa. "Families, business owners, and local governments across the San Joaquin Valleycontinue to sufferand deserve help. This framework represents the kind of bipartisan compromise the country needs.The Problem Solvers Caucus and I believe Congress should not adjourn until we reach a compromise. The American people need us to come together to reach an agreement.Failure is not an option."

The package addresses key areas of need, including agriculture,state and local aid, COVID-19 testing, unemployment insurance, direct stimulus, worker and liability protection, small business and nonprofit support, food security, schools and childcare, housing, and election support. The framework provides critical relief for the next six months, and extends state and local aid support for one year, to respond to the urgent needs of millions of Americans, families, and small businesses.

Depending on the severity of the pandemic, and if a successful vaccination program is adopted by March, 2021, a system of automatic "boosters" are designed to incrementally increase the amount of relief to individuals and families. Conversely, a system of "reducers" will decrease the total cost of the package.

The framework calls for both new stimulus money and the reallocation of previously appropriated "CARES Act" funding, and allocates resources to the following key categories:

  • Testing & Healthcare ($100B)
  • Direct Assistance to Individuals & Families ($316B)
  • Unemployment Assistance ($120B)
  • Small Business & Nonprofit Support ($290B
  • School & Child Care ($145B)
  • State & Local Aid ($500.3B)
  • Election Support ($400B)
  • Agriculture producers and processors ($25B)
  • Broadband, USPS, & Census ($27B)
  • Robust enforcement of worker safety
  • Worker & Liability Protections 
  • Automatic Boosters & Reducers

The full framework can be found here.

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