Washington, D.C. — On Thursday Congresswoman Aumua Amata praised bipartisan passage of the $484 billion Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which restores the PPP small business assistance fund.

This was the last legislative step as the bill now is sent to President Trump to be signed into law, which he did Friday afternoon. It replenishes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with $321 billion for small business assistance, with $60 billion only available through small lenders and credit unions, one of several reforms to ensure the funds are distributed more widely this time to reach smaller businesses and underserved communities.

The bill has significant new support for hospitals at $75 billion and $25 billion for testing programs through the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.

“I am very glad this PPP assistance will be available again shortly to our local businesses and employers,” said Aumua Amata. “Congress intends this money to sustain small businesses in this sudden economic struggle, and have reached out to SBA to ensure our local businesses have access to it.”

“Congress has allocated some $2.8 trillion in four bills to fight coronavirus and provide economic relief,” concluded Amata. “I will continue to inform you of decisions in Washington that affect our islands.”