In the News
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a day doesn't pass without me hearing from constituents who are hurting. All Nevadans want the same thing: health and safety for their loved ones, to end the pandemic, to stop the job losses and to get our lives back to normal. To do so, Washington must provide economic relief by getting resources to our state and local communities now.
Since the pandemic took off, state and local governments have been conducting vital, on-the-ground, response efforts to protect residents. Meanwhile, their revenues have plummeted as revenue sources have dried up.
NEVADA (KTNV) — The House is expected to vote on the biggest emergency spending measure in U.S. history.
The $3 trillion "Heroes Act" includes money for cities like Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas
The bill provides funding for state and local governments, coronavirus testing, and a new round of direct payments to Americans of up to $6,000 per household.
The Heroes Act would also provide funds for essential worker hazard pay and the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service.
WASHINGTON — Mayors said Tuesday they have told Congress and the White House that the coronavirus is "blowing massive holes in our budgets," and they have asked the federal government for immediate help.
That request came in a conference call just days after state governors also warned that budget shortfalls could force massive furloughs and a loss of services.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — State and cities around the country have lost massive amounts of tax revenue that will impact everything from school to police and fire budgets.
Lawmakers in Congress are using virtual meetings and phone calls to debate whether to give more help to states. In a virtual debate, Democrats and Republicans on the House Problem Solvers Caucus seemed to be in agreement: city and state governments need more federal help.
The bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus held a "virtual Congress," in which members participated in an unofficial floor debate via video conference. Members debated the next coronavirus relief bill, which they largely agreed should include assistance for state and local governments impacted by rising expenditures and falling revenues due to the pandemic. The "virtual Congress" also served as an experiment for how House members could debate legislation while maintaining social distancing.
Help for cities
As Congress eyes a fourth relief bill, Nevada lawmakers are making the case to address the needs of the state, which was hard hit by the closure of casinos, hotels, entertainment venues and other businesses.
The National Governors Association, a group of bipartisan officeholders, is seeking $500 billion to help offset costs and the loss of revenue due to coronavirus. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, as well as Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, chairman of national governor's group, support the request.
A new federal coronavirus relief law aims to provide protections for student military veterans.
President Donald Trump signed the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 into law late Tuesday.
Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., was one of the cosponsors of the bill, which allows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to pay student veterans who have work-study jobs at college and university campuses canceled by the COVID-19 outbreak. Provisions also include ensuring student veterans receive a housing allowance if their school has shut down.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Congressional leaders from the state of Nevada joined 8 News Now to answer your questions on air and online. Congresswoman Dina Titus, Congresswoman Susie Lee and Congressman Steven Horsford all answered questions about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in this special broadcast.