Relief Package Passed in the Senate Includes Peters’ Bill to Expand Unemployment Assistance
Senator Gary Peters has been relentlessly fighting to ensure working families, hospitals and small businesses get more relief in the latest federal aid package that passed the Senate last night.
Gary is working around the clock to secure needed support for workers in our state – including leading the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Act which expands who is eligible for unemployment benefits during this public health crisis. This critical aid will now include Michiganders who are self-employed workers like small business owners, freelance workers, independent contractors, seasonal workers, and individuals who’ve recently started or were about to start a new job.
The Michigan Democratic Party also highlights how Peters’s fight secured important measures that support workers and families across the state including:
- More money for hospitals: Peters continues to fight for sufficient resources for hospitals that are currently overstretched and in dire need of resources. This new relief bill will now include a $55 billion increase from the original proposal for hospitals and health care response and $150 billion for state and local relief.
- Expanding unemployment assistance: Peters stands with workers who are impacted by the pandemic, supporting a $600-per-week increase to unemployment assistance and spearheading the effort to broaden the workers who are eligible for this aid.
- Extra aid for small businesses: Peters has been fighting to support Michigan’s small businesses that are the backbone of our economy by ensuring they can access emergency loans and unemployment benefits. This package dedicates $375 billion in forgivable loans and grants to small businesses and nonprofits, including $10 billion to provide immediate relief for operating costs and $17 billion in loan assistance for the next 6 months.
- Increased oversight and accountability: Peters secured necessary oversight to ensure that corporations receiving federal funds are held accountable for stimulating our economy and not bailing out millionaires and billionaires. He also ensured that no members of Congress, the President, Vice President, or President’s family can receive these funds.
“Gary Peters worked overtime to make sure relief goes directly to Michiganders and to our hospitals and small businesses. With this support, the health care providers on the front lines and workers and families impacted by this crisis will get resources they urgently need,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes. “There’s still more work to be done, but we know Gary will continue fighting for Michigan.”
