By Ryan Leshko
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan sent Maryland’s congressional delegation a letter this week asking them to work together to secure more federal funding for COVID-19 relief.
Hogan, a Republican, stressed the importance of bipartisanship and urged lawmakers to push for a new stimulus bill before the end of the term in January.
“With the election behind us, much-needed additional stimulus relief is more urgent and achievable than ever,” Hogan wrote. “The fall surge of COVID-19 will continue to place enormous strain on both our healthcare system and our economy. On behalf of all Marylanders, I urge you to set aside partisan politics and prioritize a new stimulus relief bill in the lame duck session.”
This past spring, Hogan stated that while he was the chairman of the National Governors Association, he was able to secure relief for other states with commitments from the White House and Congress.
The CARES Act was passed on March 27 and the HEROES Act was passed by the House of Representatives on May 12, but it was stalled in the Senate.
According to Business Insider, a report from the Century Foundation shows that if Congress does not pass a coronavirus stimulus bill, then close to 12 million Americans could lose crucial unemployment benefits on Dec. 26.
Jaime Lennon, a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-2nd District, said the congressman agreed that aid is needed quickly.
“Our position has not changed,” Lennon said. “We are still fully supportive of another round of relief for our constituents and for our small business owners,” she quoted Ruppersberger as saying. “The needs of Second District constituents have not lessened. If anything, they’ve increased and will continue to do so as we meet this second wave of COVID head on.”
Other members of Maryland’s congressional delegation did not respond to requests for an interview.
When Congress failed to act before the August recess, as well as failing to act before Election Day, Hogan said he proceeded with his economic recovery initiative.
“Our team is working as fast as we can to distribute these resources, which includes support for local restaurants and Main Street businesses,” Hogan wrote. “On Thursday, I announced an additional $70 million in CARES Act funding to help protect the health and safety of our residents. We appreciate any assistance you can provide in urging counties and local jurisdictions to match our investments by utilizing their remaining CARES Act funding.”
Hogan noted in the letter that the relief is needed even though Maryland is recovering better than other states are, including regaining and adding close to 200,000 jobs.
However, as Washington continues to struggle in providing more stimulus relief, Hogan said that if things don’t change, families and small businesses will be worse off then they were before.