Industrial Overhead View

Rose Supports Relief Package, Calls Out Pork

March 27, 2020
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-6) returned to Washington, D.C., to debate on the House Floor today in support of the "CARES Act" and cast his "yes" vote on behalf of Tennesseans.

"A month ago, our nation stood on the highest mountain top, marveling at the supposed limitlessness of our domain. Today, barely three weeks later, awakening from an abundance-induced stupor, we find ourselves deep in the valley, peering perilously into the abyss," Rose stated. "I hope that the safety net we are attempting to purchase today with our Nation's scarce treasure doesn't dull too much the alarm that this crisis has sounded for our country to reform its ways. I pray that from this low point we will seek out a great revival of faith in our Almighty God and a renewed commitment to the principles of freedom, liberty and self-reliance that our forbearers handed down to us."

"For those in this Congress who have used this crisis to loot the public treasury and serve special interests above the common good," Rose continued, "I trust that our people and history will judge you as harshly as you deserve."

"Today, I give thanks for our confident, freely elected President, hardened in the harsh crucible of this very House, who I trust will boldly lead us back to the summit," Rose concluded.

The "CARES Act" (H.R. 748) passed unanimously in the Senate (96-0) on March 25, 2020. The legislation brings desperately needed relief for the American people during this unprecedented time in our country's history. H.R. 748 passed the House today and includes the following provisions:

  • Expedites critical resources and provides $100 billion for hospitals and frontline healthcare providers.
  • Sends financial relief directly to Americans through checks up to $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for couples, and $500 per child.
  • Provides small businesses grants and loans specifically to meet payroll and rent.
  • Allows regulatory relief for banks to grant loan forbearance for otherwise-healthy businesses experiencing temporary closures.
  • Allows assistance to distressed industries, including airlines, through guaranteed loans with strong accountability protections.
  • Expands telehealth medicine to surge capacity for diagnoses and treatment.
  • Temporarily expands unemployment insurance for those who have lost their jobs.
  • Provides liability protection for providers who volunteer.
  • Allows the use of HSAs for over the counter medicines.
  • Extends expiring health extenders to November.
  • Temporarily waives the required minimum distribution from certain retirement accounts and the 10-percent early-withdrawal penalty for distributions from qualified retirement accounts for COVID-19 purposes.
  • Provides tax policy incentives, including key technical corrections to Quality Improvement Property and Net Operating Losses.

U.S. Representative John Rose represents Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their son, Guy. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, and Wilson counties as well as portions of Cheatham and Van Buren counties.

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