What They Are Saying: Support Builds for Loeffler’s Legislative Actions
Businesses, Advocacy Groups Give High Praise for Loeffler’s USA RISE Plan Solutions
ATLANTA – Georgia businesses and leading pro-family, conservative and community organizations are praising legislative proposals introduced by U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) as part of her USA Restoring & Igniting the Strength of our Economy (USA RISE) Plan, a framework to reinvest in America, grow jobs and help families amid the coronavirus.
One of the four pillars of the USA RISE Plan is “Families in the USA.” Loeffler has started turning her plan into legislative action and recently proposed several solutions to help hardworking families weather this crisis.
Loeffler introduced the following proposals: the Working Families Childcare Access (WFCA) Act to give additional flexibility to working families by allowing parents to contribute more to their employer-sponsored Dependent Care Cafeteria Plan Flexible Spending Account (FSA); the Limiting Infant Fatality and Empowering Nonprofit Organization Workforces (LIFE NOW) Act to allow larger nonprofits to receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding abortion providers; the Affordable Health Care Options Act to codify the Trump Administration’s regulations on short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans to help Georgians who have lost their jobs and health insurance; and a resolution, supported by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), calling for an increase in funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
On the LIFE NOW Act:
Georgia Aquarium, Dr. Brian Davis, President and CEO: “Georgia Aquarium is a large nonprofit that employs more than 600 people. We have been closed to the public since March 13 but our expense for ongoing animal care continues. Senator Loeffler’s vision for the expansion of PPP through the Life Now Act is beneficial for long-term sustainability of not only our organization, but many like it. This act is extremely valuable to organizations that rely on donations and ticket sales to operate and would help support our staff, animals and set us up for future success.”
YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Lauren Koontz, President and CEO: “We are grateful that the bill recognizes the need of larger nonprofits as they are doing critical work to provide COVID-19 response and relief programming in our communities. Because of the 500-employee cap in earlier legislation, many community serving nonprofits were not eligible for relief through the legislation. We appreciate Senator Loeffler supporting this provision in the King-Lankford letter and her continued support of our Georgia YMCAs.”
Bethany Christian Services, Chris Palusky, President and CEO: “On behalf of Bethany Christian Services, a faith-based child welfare organization with approximately 1,500 employees in more than 30 states, I applaud your efforts to eliminate the Small Business Administration (SBA) affiliation rules and the 500-employee cap so that charitable nonprofit organizations can participate in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a forgivable loan program that was created by the CARES Act… Failing to protect nonprofits, who are serving as the last line of defense for many people who have been impacted by COVID-19, could threaten tens of thousands of nonprofit sector jobs and the vulnerable communities they serve. At Bethany, we’ve already been forced to reduce our workforce around the country because we couldn’t access PPP…. As millions of Americans struggle with unemployment and countless more experience worsening mental and financial health, demand for child welfare, social services, and community outreach is skyrocketing. But all that increased demand comes at a time when funding for most nonprofits is at its most precarious. And if our country’s nonprofits can’t continue their services, the impact will be felt in families and communities who need help now more than ever before in the face of this pandemic… Thank you again for your continued leadership on this issue.”
March For Life, Tom McClusky, Vice President of Government Affairs: “Senators Kelly Loeffler, Kevin Cramer, James Lankford and Mike Rounds deserve praise for the steps they have taken to protect all life during this pandemic. By large numbers, and regardless of their party affiliation, taxpayers do not want to be subsidizing abortion. Instead the money should be directed to organizations that provide actual relief.”
Susan B. Anthony List, Mallory Quigley, Vice President of Communications: “The LIFE NOW Act lays out a plan to provide non-profit organizations with coronavirus relief funds. We thank Senator Loeffler and Senator Cramer for working to ensure that this does not create a new funding stream for abortion businesses. As our country begins to recover from this pandemic, the last thing we need is an increase in funds for the abortion industry, which takes the lives of unborn American children daily.”
On the WFCA Act:
The American Principles Project, Terry Schilling, Executive Director: “It's no secret that working families are facing enormous challenges right now in America. Given the devastating impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on so many families financially, there is a critical need for lawmakers to step forward and find new solutions to support them. Fortunately, Sen. Loeffler is answering that call today with her new legislation, the Working Families Childcare Access Act. Among the bill’s provisions is an important proposal which would expand access for families to Dependent Care Cafeteria Plan Flexible Savings Accounts (FSAs). Only about 1.5 million taxpayers (out of 146 million) participated in these FSAs last year, despite the tremendous benefit they offer in allowing parents to defray costs related to childcare. To help make participation easier, Sen. Loeffler’s legislation would eliminate the use-it-or-lose-it rule which prevents plans holders from carrying over a balance year-to-year and increase annual contribution limits from $5,000 to $15,000. This is exactly the type of innovation and common sense we need more of in Washington. APP commends Sen. Loeffler for her leadership, and we fully endorse this proposal to provide a much-needed boost in support for America's working families.”
Family Research Council, Travis Weber, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs: “Allowing parents to contribute more of their hard-earned money to Dependent Care FSAs provides greater flexibility and freedom for families to continue to grow and flourish. Whether it is working parents who need help caring for their children or homeschooling parents that need assistance with at-home child care, this policy will foster and incentivize the growth of more American families. We are grateful for Sen. Loeffler’s leadership in promoting policies that strengthen families during this time of economic uncertainty.”
On the Affordable Health Care Options Act:
The Opportunity Solutions Project, Josh Archambault, Senior Fellow, FGA: “Now more than ever, Americans need affordable, individualized options when it comes to health insurance. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruption, Short-Term Limited-Duration (STLD) insurance plans are an important and affordable choice to help keep families covered. We’re grateful to Senator Loeffler for her work to provide immediate relief during these unprecedented times.”
Americans for Prosperity, Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer: “One of the best things Congress can do to help people right now who are struggling with high health care costs is to give them more affordable and flexible options that better meet their needs and lifestyle – short-term renewable plans do just that. With millions of Americans suddenly unemployed and potentially without insurance, expanding access to these more affordable plans will provide urgently-needed relief and peace of mind. We applaud Senator Loeffler for making this a priority and we urge every member of Congress and the administration to support it.”
The legislation also is endorsed by Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee.
On the Loeffler and Ernst resolution calling for an increase in funding for the CCDBG:
Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEERS), Mindy Binderman, Executive Director: “Without the crucial supports afforded by child care, parents will be unable to return to work and the country’s economic recovery will be considerably stunted. GEEARS sincerely appreciates that Senator Loeffler recognizes this and is calling for additional, significant funding for the child care industry to stabilize the sector, support the workforce and ensure there is a child care system to which families can safely return.”