Gabbard Calls For More Aid For Hawaiʻi

PC: Tulsi Gabbard campaign. / Tulsi Now

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says she has advocated with Congress and the White House for the last two weeks, pushing for greater support for Hawai‘i as communities continue to struggle with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The coronavirus crisis is affecting Americans all across our country, including its unique impacts on our island state,” Gabbard said in a press release.

“So many working families and individuals, small businesses, and seniors are stressed and strained as they continue to face uncertainty and a lack of resources needed just to survive. Unfortunately, the last funding measure Congress passed left some glaring holes that resulted in those needing help the most, unable to access it. Congress and the Trump Administration must ensure that whether in big cities or rural communities, no one gets left behind.”

Rep. Gabbard has cosponsored H.R.6467, the Coronavirus Community Relief Act, which would provide $250 billion for local governments, like those of our neighbor island communities, to help cover costs caused by COVID-19 between March 1 and Dec. 30 of this year.

Gabbard has also called for robust emergency funds to ensure that the USPS will be able to continue to serve communities across Hawai‘i through the crisis.

The specialty crop industry that is an important part of Hawai‘i’s economy has been hit hard during the pandemic as many of its traditional purchasers have either shut down or seen drastically reduced activity.

Rep. Gabbard helped lead a Hawai‘i delegation letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to ensure USDA support prioritizes specialty crops, livestock, and producers supplying farmers markets, restaurants, and schools. She joined a broader, bipartisan letter to Sec. Perdue drawing attention to this strain on specialty crop farmers. She also urged House Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy to increase the resources available for small business lending from credit unions which are a critical asset to Hawai‘i’s small business community.