Dear Friend,
Given the acceleration of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, I wanted to send another update on how I am working to ensure the safety and financial stability of every family in Michigan’s 11th District.
First, I want to offer my heartfelt gratitude to the hardworking men and women on the front lines of this pandemic. Thank you to our health care professionals, first responders, grocery store workers and others who are continuing to make daily life possible for our community. You are heroes, and I am committed to ensuring that you have what you need to perform your duties at minimal risk to your health and economic security.
Over the last few weeks, I have been in regular contact with constituents, local elected officials, faith leaders, business owners, educators and workers to check in on your needs and gain your perspectives.
Personal Protective Equipment:
One of the top concerns I am hearing is the availability of testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for our health care workers, and I want to assure you that I am making the production and availability of this equipment a priority.
Earlier this week, I signed a letter urging key Administration officials to work with our trading partners to find additional equipment abroad, and I sent a letter to Governor Whitmer regarding effective coordination with our manufacturing facilities—especially those that specialize in fabrication—to produce these materials going forward. We must pursue all available avenues to get the supplies we need.
As I continue to develop and offer my policy proposals, it is essential that I hear from you. Your stories help me to advocate for policies that best benefit our district. Just this week, I included the story of one of my constituents in a letter to Speaker Pelosi in support of ongoing efforts to ensure direct payments get into the hands of Americans who need them as soon as possible.
To update me on how you and your family have been impacted and where you could use support, please visit my webform HERE. I look forward to engaging with all of you throughout this process to ensure I am lending my voice to the places where resources and support are most urgently needed.
This crisis requires a coordinated, comprehensive, and fully funded response from the federal government. Rest assured that I am doing everything in my power to capture the needs of our district and find financial relief.
The following are my proposals to keep our economy moving amidst this crisis:
AUTO INDUSTRY:
With major automakers agreeing to temporarily shut down all production in North America to stop the spread of COVID-19, our automotive sector could soon face liquidity issues. I have asked the Federal Reserve to explore credit options to protect our domestic auto industry and its workforce.
I am also calling on Vice President Pence to secure the viability of the automotive sector during this unprecedented crisis. Not through bailouts or direct cash, but the necessary federal backing for a key industry during uncertain times.
This crisis has created even more uncertainty for retirees who are worried about losing their hard-earned pensions. I am pushing to include the Butch Lewis Act in any Congressional coronavirus response, because securing retirement for those who earned it has never been more important.
CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY:
I support corporate accountability provisions and strong worker protections in any legislation considered by the House to provide taxpayer assistance to large corporations.
Corporate accountability measures for consideration must include a ban on stock buybacks, wage protections for workers, limitations on executive pay, and a voice for workers on corporate boards.
CASH ASSISTANCE:
We need direct, immediate cash payments to American individuals and families, many of whom urgently need this assistance to pay their bills at the end of the month due to unexpected loss of income.
SMALL BUSINESS EFFORTS:
Congress should immediately expand resources for the Small Business Lending Fund and the State Small Business Credit Initiative through the U.S. Treasury and make it easier for small businesses to utilize these programs. Additional small business support should tie to tax credits and incentives to cope with impacts of annual revenue losses.
Yesterday, I released a resource guide for impacted businesses in my district. The guide includes local, state, and national resources on how to take advantage of economic injury disaster loans, how to secure grant funding, how to adjust to teleworking, and more.
Coronavirus Status in Michigan:
Currently, there are 549 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Michigan, and the number is growing. Please know that state and federal health officials are working tirelessly to keep our community safe and healthy. It is essential that we practice social distancing to mitigate the spread of this virus. Staying home and staying calm is critical in this moment.
Additional Resources:
As a reminder, Michiganders with health-related questions should call the statewide COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8AM-5PM daily.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to be an up-to-date resource for answering critical questions about protecting yourself and your family from the virus. For public health information closer to home, please visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
To stay up to date on my work as your Representative in Congress, check out my Twitter, Facebook, and sign up to receive my regular e-Newsletters.
My staff and I will continue to work with officials at every level of government to ensure that everyone in Michigan is protected and well informed. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at (734) 853-3040.
I am committed to ensuring that no one in my district gets left behind. I will continue to be in touch with legislative updates and resources as we fight this together.
Sincerely,
Haley Stevens
Member of Congress
It's my job to listen to Michigan families. Please take my survey to share your views and join my email list.
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