The U.S. Congress just passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package.

Iowa’s Third Congressional District Representative Cindy Axne voted in favor of the bill. Axne tells Raccoon Valley Radio there are several important aspects to the bill, including stimulus checks to most adults of $1,400, and unemployment benefits that will expire on September 21st, along with funds allocated for businesses.

“Particularly small businesses with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). So that they can continue to pay employees even during these difficult times and keep money in their employee’s pockets. That means we invest in our economy and our local communities if we’re keeping people employed.”

Axne explains the importance of some of the funds being allocated for additional COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

“We’re investing fully with $400 billion so we can really, dramatically ramp up vaccine production and distribution with a national strategy. And this gets everybody a vaccine as quickly as possible, helps us with mobile vaccination sites that are going to be important for rural areas of Iowa. It ensures that we continue to get more vaccinations so we can get on top of this.”

Axne notes the bill needed to be passed before March 14th when the federal unemployment benefits were due to expire.