Senator McConnell introduced the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 announced Kentucky has reached a new milestone of $13 billion in relief from his historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senator McConnell introduced the CARES Act, which became the largest economic rescue package in American history, and led it to enactment in about a week.
“As the CARES Act was being written in my office, I worked to deliver critical relief to Kentucky families, workers, job creators, healthcare heroes, and state and local governments. The historic rescue package directed urgent assistance to every corner of our Commonwealth when Kentuckians needed it most,” said Senator McConnell. “Through popular programs like the PPP, the CARES Act is helping Kentucky workers receive their paychecks and keep their families healthy. As Senate Majority Leader, I’ll continue helping Kentucky punch above its weight in Washington as we beat this virus and encourage our economic comeback.”
Historic Relief Highlights
- The job-saving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has helped over 50,000 Kentucky small businesses, farmers, and nonprofits access $5.2 billion in potentially forgivable loans. Senator McConnell led passage of follow-up legislation to provide additional flexibility to these Kentuckians.
- The CARES Act delivered more than $3.8 billion in direct payments to 2.2 million eligible Kentuckians to help make ends meet. On the Senate floor, Senator McConnell shared stories from Kentucky families who used the federal aid.
- Kentucky received more than $1.7 billion for the state and local government response to COVID-19, including to support first responders. Senator McConnell applauded the Trump administration’s announcement to expand flexibility in the use of these relief funds.
- The Healthcare Provider Relief Fund has sent over $1.3 billion to Kentucky’s healthcare heroes on the frontlines of this pandemic. Since May, Senator McConnell has visited more than 30 Kentucky healthcare providers to personally thank the medical professionals keeping our communities safe from this terrible virus.
- Through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), Kentucky farmers have received more than $177 million to help put food on families’ tables and store shelves. Last week, Senator McConnell joined Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles to encourage growers and producers to apply for a second round of CFAP funding recently made available.
Each of Kentucky’s 120 counties has received access to urgent federal funding from Senator McConnell’s CARES Act. The Trump administration continues to distribute funds from the CARES Act, including for healthcare heroes and farmers.
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