Chris Smith: “In New Jersey, 100,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, with more than 5,000 suffering death. Forty percent of…”

“In New Jersey, 100,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19, with more than 5,000 suffering death. Forty percent of those who have died are women and men in nursing homes and veterans in long-term care homes. We grieve their loss. My constituents have shown remarkable strength, resolve, and resiliency, especially those in healthcare, first responders, postal workers, truckers, supermarket employees, and more. Without their courage and sacrifice, things would be far worse. Signs outside of CentraState Medical Center in Freehold say it all: Heroes Work Here. For our hospitals, the $70 billion in this legislation, on top of the $100 billion for the CARES Act, is critically needed to sustain our overworked, cash-starved hospitals that risk insolvency, in large part, because they have been compelled by law to postpone elective surgeries. A few days ago, Secretary Mnuchin said 30 million jobs have been saved by the Paycheck Protection Program, the PPP. Today's $310 billion replenishment continues and expands this historic bridge to assist businesses with forgivable loans to prevent layoffs and bankruptcy. {time} 1330”