On April 27, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined the Borough of River Edge’s Council meeting to update residents on ongoing efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic in North Jersey, to outline resources available to help them, and provide updates on the recently enacted bipartisan interim emergency package that further funds the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan small business assistance programs, resources for health care facilities, and a ramp up in testing capabilities.

“I want to thank the Mayor and Borough Council for having me today so I can answer your specific questions on what I’m doing at the federal level to help the Fifth-District to fight coronavirus. To all of River Edge’s leadership, I’m grateful for all your work and I truly appreciate everything you are doing on the ground right now. I also want to take a moment to thank our front-line health care workers, first responders, and law enforcement who sacrifice so much every day to keep us safe and healthy, and all our essential workers who are keeping our communities going,” Congressman Gottheimer (NJ-5) said via video conference to River Edge Council meeting attendees. “At the federal level, several pieces of bipartisan legislation passed over the past two months have been getting resources, support, and equipment out to our communities, businesses, workers, hospitals, families, and front-line health care workers. This past week, the House and Senate passed an interim emergency package, which was then signed into law, that further funds the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as well as resources for our health care facilities and a ramp up in testing capability nationwide. More help is now on the way.”

Gottheimer continued, “All of the steps we are taking are incredibly important to ensure we can combat this virus and recover. Right now, more than ever, we must come together as a community. These are trying times, but here, in the greatest country in the world, we are stronger when we all come together — as one New Jersey and as one nation.”

Gottheimer was joined on the call by Mayor Thomas Papaleo, Councilwoman Indira Kinsella, Councilwoman Ellen Busteed, Council President Dario Chinigo, Councilwoman Michelle Kaufman, Councilwoman Lissa Montisano-Koen, Councilman Joseph Gautier, and Business administrator Ray Poerio. 

The new bipartisan interim emergency package Gottheimer highlighted includes $320 billion for small businesses by strengthening the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), $75 billion to provide resources to the frontlines for hospitals and health care workers, including Personal Protective Equipment, and $25 billion for coronavirus testing, which is key to be able to eventually safely reopen our economy and recover.

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