Perhaps lost in the commotion of coronavirus and mass protesting was the fact that Congress returned to Washington D.C. last week to consider non-pandemic legislation for the first time in over three months.
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, (D-GA02) was particularly proud of several pieces of legislation passed that seek to help the country’s military veterans.
As a participant in a Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing he pushed for added aid for veterans, a longtime goal for the Middle Georgia congressman.
Legislation passed included:
H.R. 6168 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2020. This bill increases the money paid to veterans for disability compensation and to their survivors for dependency and indemnity compensation, starting December 1, 2020.
S. 3414 – Major Medical Facility Authorization Act of 2020. This legislation authorizes seven major medical facility projects for the VA with maximum budgets.
S. 3084 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to adjust the pay limitation for specific high-ranking employees and officers of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In addition Bishop voted in favor of H.R. 7010 – Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. The much publicized bill will increase flexibility and access to PPP loans by allowing forgiveness for expenses beyond the 8-week covered period as well as increase the limits for non-payroll expenses, including rent and utilities.
“For the first time in weeks, we voted on bills that were not related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation we passed today will help our response to small businesses struggling during the pandemic and veterans to feed themselves and their families.” Said Bishop.
“Georgians are still experiencing both human and economic tolls from this pandemic. Congress must answer this challenge while still making significant safety changes to prevent further spread of the virus. I encourage everyone to wear a mask, wash your hands often, and social distance as much as possible. The threat of the COVID-19 virus is not over.”
