Schumer: Fed Needs to Puts in $25 Billion for USPS
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said yesterday that as Lawmakers head back to Washington to negotiate the next coronavirus recovery bill the U.S. Post offices, including those across New York –from NYC to LI—could be forced to shut their doors unless they get an immediate infusion of funds and the personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies needed to keep workers and the mail-receiving public safe.
Schumer, citing the worry, made a vow to fight for a critically-needed $25 billion for the USPS so they can keep the doors open and the mail moving for all Americans.
“Whether it is New York City, the suburbs of Long Island, Staten Island or beyond, the USPS performs a lifeline service for countless Americans and the people of New York that must continue amid and beyond this pandemic,” said Schumer.
“The fact is, the coronavirus has severely crippled USPS operations and their funds. Despite that, they have kept the doors open, the mail –and really the economy– moving, and now they need the help to sustain their pace. The fight to keep our post offices open by injecting the dollars needed to do the job and purchase the personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies required to keep everyone safe will begin tomorrow, and I am here to say: I vow to lead it,” he added.
Clarke, Eugene Among Those Mourning Death Of John Lewis
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Central Brooklyn) and City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Flattbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) were among the many local elected officials that paid tribute and mourned the death of U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), who died on Friday.
Besides serving as Congrtessemember representing Georgia’s 5th congressional district since 1987, Lewis was a major American Civil Rights figure and served as the Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee from 1963-1966. Lewis was one of the “Big Six” leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. He fulfilled many key roles in the civil rights movement and its actions to end legalized racial segregation in the United States.
“On behalf of the people of New York’s 9th Congressional District, the Clarke family and myself, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved-ones of the Honorable Congressman John Lewis. America has lost one of its greatest heroes. He was a great patriot who put his very life on the line in the pursuit of justice in the nation he loved. He made it his duty to disrupt the status quo, to ‘get in the way’ and to demand civil rights and justice for Black people of the South and by extension the poor and disenfranchised across the country. He often referred to his pension for civil disobedience as ‘good trouble.’ His courage and bravery in the face of violence and cruelty was truly heroic,” said Clarke.
Clarke noted how on On March 7, 1965, Lewis was beaten within an inch of his life by police officers while leading hundreds of marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
“He was determined to obtain voting rights for Black people at all costs. John often expressed and deeply believed that the right to vote was sacred. Despite the brutal attack, he never let up on his quest, the fight for justice,” she said.
Eugene said that throughout his life, John Lewis exhibited a profound dedication to fighting for the civil and human rights of all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or socioeconomic status.
“He believed that in order to progress as a country, we must treat everyone equally and empower ourselves to help those in need. His bravery and practice of solidarity in the face of injustice provided inspiration and a guiding light for all of those who continue to fight for racial unity. John Lewis endured horrible acts of violence as he fought against discrimination and racism but remained undeterred in his mission for a more fair and tolerant society. As a nation, we are forever indebted to his legacy of equality and justice for all. May he rest in peace and may God bless his family during this very difficult time,” said Eugene.
Colton Notes Number of Programs that can Help Small Businesses
Assemblyman William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) announced he recently participated in a zoom Assembly Public Hearing on how to help small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are a number of programs that are available on a federal, state, and city level, but he believes that all levels of government must do more.
“Yesterday I had participated in a neighborhood zoom meeting sponsored by the Asian American Commerce Association on what programs are available to help small businesses. These are the programs that can help small businesses that are still struggling from COVID-19 pandemic; 1)The Federal government Payroll Protection program (PPP) for businesses with under 500 employees, 2) New York State Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) targeting businesses with fewer than 20 full-time employees with gross revenues of less than $3 million a year, 3) Employee Retention Grant Program for businesses with under 5 employees that are offered by NYC. Also, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce has a Bring Back Brooklyn Fund for loans to businesses who have not received PPP monies,” Colton said.
“The neighborhood small businesses can contact my office for assistance on how to apply for these and other programs by calling 718-236-1598. My office will be re-opening on Monday, July 27 but until then, phone messages are being retrieved daily and returned by a dedicated staff working from home,” Colton added.
Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Brooklyn Hospitals to Receive Emergency Fed Funding
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced Friday that 86 New York hospitals – including several in Brooklyn – will receive more than $680 million of a new $10 billion allocation designated for ‘hot spot’ hospitals.
Schumer has been pushing the Trump administration in recent weeks to quickly allocate the health money, which was secured as part of the CARES Act. The Senators explained that the funding announced builds upon the $4.3 billion announced in April for New York’s ‘hot spot’ hospitals and providers.
Among the Brooklyn hospitals receiving funding are NYC Heath + Hospitals Woodhull ($3,542,513), Kings County Hospital ($5,069,220) and Coney Island Hospital ($4,727,441), Interfaith Medical Center ($3,171,177), New York Community Hospital of Brooklyn $6,200,416), New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital ($16,695,878), and Maimonides Medical Center ($21,967,264).
“New York’s hospitals have made incredible sacrifices throughout this pandemic, putting public health above profit and working ceaselessly to help New York beat back the virus and flatten the curve,” said Schumer. “New York and its hospitals have been amongst the hardest hit in the nation, and with this funding going out, the continuing frontline fight being waged by our health care system and its incredible workforce will receive the hot spot dollars they need, and so very much deserve, to keep saving lives.”
“Health care workers have risked their lives and fought tirelessly to keep New Yorkers safe during this outbreak,” said Gillibrand. “This critical federal funding will help provide health centers with the resources needed to treat patients and save lives. I will continue fighting in the Senate for the funding needed to ensure everyone has access to quality health care during these unprecedented times.”
