Friends,

This is a trying time for our country and state as we work to mitigate the threat posed by coronavirus. I want to make sure you have all the latest information about the public health and economic aspects of this challenge, as well as details concerning what we are doing in Congress and with the Trump Administration to defeat the virus and restore our economy.

In challenging times, Americans always rise to the occasion and do extraordinary things. I know this time will be no different.

If you have any specific questions or need assistance as it pertains to the coronavirus response effort,  please contact Ryan Hofmann with my office at ryan.hofmann@mail.house.gov.

At a White House briefing this morning, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the beginning of a plan to ensure American families and businesses receive support to make it through this crisis. In addition, the lead Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that the Trump Administration would expand telehealth benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. This will allow patients to use Medicare to pay for telehealth consultations, which is an important step for residents in Wyoming who rely on teleheath mechanisms to stay in touch with their primary care physician. 

These new announcements come on top of legislation that I voted for in the House to provide for coronavirus testing, allow paid sick leave for employees, and fund research and vaccine development.

Please keep reading below to learn more about the latest guidance for all Americans issued by the White House, along with important information for small business owners impacted by coronavirus. The White House is posting “West Wing Reads” highlighting articles about the Administration’s work to combat coronavirus. Click here to read about bipartisan cooperation and coordination amid the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/

The Latest CDC Guidance:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

To sign up for COVID-19 updates from the CDC, visit here.

Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by coronavirus.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. 

Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster.

SBA works with a number of local partners to counsel, mentor, and train small businesses. The SBA has 68 District Offices, as well as support provided by its Resource Partners, such as SCORE offices, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers. When faced with a business need, use the SBA’s Local Assistance Directory to locate the office nearest you.

The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19. More information can be found here and the below document can also offer some helpful resources: 

What’s Ahead:

In Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s floor remarks yesterday, he noted that the House-passed bill that the Senate will now consider is just the beginning of action Congress will take to help the country get through the challenge posed by the spread of coronavirus. He specifically outlined three areas that will be central areas of focus:

1. We will need to take further steps to assist individual Americans and families with financial challenges in the weeks and months ahead.

2. We will need further significant actions to secure our nation’s economy, particularly Main Street small businesses, and safeguard our historically strong economic foundation through this period.

3. We will need further steps to ready our healthcare system and support our nation’s medical professionals.

Both the legislative and executive branch of the federal government will continue to take action to defend the health and safety of the American people, and to protect our country’s economic interests. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with specific questions or concerns as we confront this crisis together.

Congresswoman Liz Cheney