Moran, Roberts join colleagues in unanimous vote to pass CARES Act

U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) on March 25 voted with their U.S. Senate colleagues to unanimously support the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which passed on a 96-0 vote.

The measure still must receive action by the U.S. House of Representatives, which is expected to approve the bill and send it to the president to be signed into law.

“Our country is facing a pandemic, and we must act now to make certain Kansans have the support they need to weather this storm,” Sen. Moran said. “The CARES Act is far from perfect and includes many provisions I would not support in ordinary circumstances, but hospitals need supplies, small businesses need loans, farmers and ranchers need certainty and folks who are out of work, through no fault of their own, need relief.”

“The CARES Act provides one of the most powerful and timely economic relief packages in our nation’s history” said Sen. Roberts. “Responding to the challenge of the novel coronavirus will require a collective effort from our entire nation. The bill that passed the Senate today represents ideas from both sides of the political aisle but with a shared purpose: to deliver a necessary financial bridge to American households, workers, and businesses through the economic shock from COVID-19.”

Both senators had several of their priorities included in the CARES Act, H.R. 748, the nation’s third legislative package to respond to the pandemic, authorizing $2 trillion in federal aid.

Some of Sen. Moran’s priorities included in the bill are those for federal resources for American families and individuals, healthcare providers, medical supplies, research, vaccines, and small business loans, among many others.

“Through direct payments to families, assistance to hurting industries and strategic solutions to meet health care demands, Phase III will provide relief and resources to help make certain small businesses can keep employees on the payroll and reopen their doors when this pandemic has passed,” said Sen. Moran.

Sen. Roberts praised the inclusion of two of his key priorities in H.R. 748.

“The Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2019 will make it easier to purchase medications through health savings accounts, which will help stop the spread of the coronavirus by keeping those who are experiencing mild symptoms out of the doctor’s office,” Sen. Roberts said. “The Priority Zoonotic Animal Drug designation will help treat future zoonotic diseases, like the coronavirus, before they cause serious harm to humans.”

Sen. Roberts said that the comprehensive relief package also provides cash flow assistance to protect workers and small businesses; significantly expands unemployment benefits and availability; financial assistance to severely distressed industries of the national economy; and increases funding for hospitals and healthcare providers.