Key funding needs remain for American Samoa if there’s a future Covid-19 stimulus deal between the US House and Senate, according to Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen’s office.
KHJ News Washington DC correspobdent Matt Kaye reports…
Another massive stimulus bill is NOT a given, despite House passage last week of a $3-trillion bill.
White House officials see a swift economic recovery amid the “reopening” of states and are not negotiating with House Democrats until seeing the results from billions in still unspent stimulus aid.
But if there is another Covid-19 stimulus package, Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen’s office says several local priorities will be at the top of her list.
Among them, continued increases in unemployment insurance, nutrition assistance, help for LBJ Hospital and the territorial government.
Amata’s office says more aid for small business through the Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs, also makes sense.
The Congresswoman says SBA’s weekly updated report shows American Samoan employers have now successfully acquired 100 loans under Paycheck Protection, totaling over $6 million.
But Amata noted earlier, the Covid-19 recovery will take more…
Play Audio
Each side argues the other’s bill requirements are either too expansive or too driven by politics. And 14-House Democrats opposed their leadership in last week’s vote on the HEROES Act.
Senate Republicans meantime, want to wait another month or two, before deciding whether to act.
At the White House, the Washington Post reported economist Kevin Hassett claimed “positive trends in retail, business reopenings and credit card transaction data” in the past two-weeks.
Hassett said the administration has “a little bit of a luxury to watch and see” before having to approve new aid…though some White House officials have quietly signaled openness to more aid for the states and cities, among concern for budget -related layoffs.
And Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell urged President Trump and Congress to consider spending more, warning the recovery is likely to be slow and last ‘til the end of next year.
