In a recent webinar on COVID-19, our CEO, Bryan Derreberry, and Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Scott Barhight, welcomed Congressman Joe Cunningham for a town hall on the latest federal updates around this pandemic and to answer any questions our members may have for him.
Joe Cunningham represents South Carolina’s First Congressional District, which includes Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Kiawah and Hilton Head.
As a COVID-19 survivor who practiced social distancing and still got the virus, he understands that the virus, in many ways, is in control, and it’s difficult for our region and world to comprehend. But, we can still work to identify solutions for things we can change.
This means paycheck protection, hazardous pay for frontline workers, resources to protect the public and following CDC guidelines to try and stay as healthy as possible.
Payroll Protection
On April 16, Cunningham called for more federal funding for small businesses. Initially, Congress passed bipartisan legislation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided assistance to small businesses, including $349 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to administer the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program provides cash-flow assistance for small businesses through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to maintain their payroll and pay their bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans can be forgiven if employers keep employees on their payroll. South Carolina small businesses have received over $2.6 billion in loans through the program as of April 15th.
As the small business loan program, PPP, is now depleted, Cunningham is pushing to keep vital relief flowing to small businesses. Read More
Hazardous Pay for Frontline Workers
First responders and frontline workers are dealing with a dangerous situation. Cunningham believes that these workers deserve to be eligible for hazard pay so that we recognize and show them the respect that they always deserve, but especially during these times. Read More
Resources to Protect the Public
Cunningham described the effects of this situation as two pronged: one side is economic and the other is public safety.
“Finding treatment is a priority,” – Cunningham
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding and includes $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics Learn More
Cunningham is hopeful that with that money, we will begin to find resources and answers.
Following CDC Guidelines
We hear these guidelines almost every day, but they still are just as significant as they were on Day 1.
Cunningham encourages us to follow CDC Guidelines and do our part to prevent the spread. He encourages us to think like we are in a game of chess and take time to think two or three steps ahead, if possible. Looking towards the future will be helpful to plan for a shift or change in your events in order to reflect the environment we will be living in.
Interested in learning more about Cunningham’s work as Congressman? Visit http://cunningham.house.gov/
View the full webinar. Each week, we feature webinars that matter to what is going on in our world and in your business. Join us for our upcoming webinars and let us know how we can help you.
