Kelly Loeffler: “8 weeks ago today, the Senate passed the CARES Act, an unprecedented $2.2 trillion package of legislation aimed at…”

“8 weeks ago today, the Senate passed the CARES Act, an unprecedented $2.2 trillion package of legislation aimed at providing relief as our country took steps to respond to the threat of COVID-19. Previously, we passed legislation to expand free access to testing and paid leave, accelerate vaccines and treatments, and to support the Federal agencies leading our pandemic response. The CARES Act was designed to support the health of our citizens and the economy. It included direct payments to American families, grants to hospitals, and the Paycheck Protection Program--forgivable loans to small businesses to keep their employees on the payroll. The program was so successful that a month later, Congress approved the additional $310 billion for PPP loans, $75 billion for hospitals, and $25 billion for testing. Georgia hospitals have received over $1.7 billion, including at least $328 million for our rural businesses under the CARES Act. I worked to include provisions in the CARES Act to expand rural health and telehealth program. Our State has received more than $800,000 from these programs. They are helping Georgians across our State stay connected with their doctors from the safety of their own homes.…”