ATTENTION: Small business owners, Paycheck Protection Program applications are LIVE

Today, the Treasury Department published the Paycheck Protection Program’s borrower application, as well as helpful information sheets on the Paycheck Protection Program and how it impacts borrowers and lenders. The Paycheck Protection Program provides economic relief from the Coronavirus outbreak for small businesses, eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, Tribal businesses, and individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors.

For an overview of the program, click here.

The application for borrowers can be found here.

If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here.

If you’re a lender, more information can be found here.

Separately, here’s a story from The San Joaquin Valley Sun providing rolling updates on the number of Coronavirus cases in the Central Valley.

For helpful resources regarding Coronavirus, assistance available to American families and businesses, and the steps Congress is taking to keep Americans safe and financially secure, visit the Coronavirus Updates page on my website here.

House Republicans launch new Coronavirus resources website

I want to bring your attention to a new Coronavirus resource website launched by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. The website, which can be found here, contains brief articles detailing the various resources made available to American families and small businesses in Phases One, Two, and Three of Congress’ Coronavirus relief package. Additionally, you will be able to find a link to this website on my Coronavirus Updates page here.

In case you missed it, here is an article from The San Joaquin Valley Sun examining the possibility that local Central Valley schools might not re-open until May.

If you have any questions about how the bill impacts you, please call my office at (559) 733-3861. For helpful resources regarding Coronavirus, assistance available to American families and businesses, and the steps Congress is taking to keep Americans safe and financially secure, visit the Coronavirus Updates page on my website here.

URGENT: House passes crucial Coronavirus relief bill

Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed the CARES Act, phase three of Congress’ Coronavirus economic relief package. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law so American families and businesses can receive much needed economic relief from the Coronavirus outbreak. I am including the following resources to explain the bill’s key small business, tax, and unemployment provisions.

For more information about how this bill helps small businesses, click here.

For more information about how this bill provides tax relief for American families, click here.

For more information about how this bill provides unemployment relief for American workers, click here.

Additionally, House Ways and Means Committee Republicans have published a Frequently Asked Questions page to help answer any questions you might have about Coronavirus-related legislation.

Separately, here’s a story from The San Joaquin Valley Sun tracking the number of Coronavirus cases in the Central Valley.

If you have any questions about how the bill impacts you, please call my office at (559) 733-3861. For helpful resources regarding Coronavirus, assistance available to American families and businesses, and the steps Congress is taking to keep Americans safe and financially secure, visit the Coronavirus Updates page on my website here.

More relief coming to taxpayers during Coronavirus outbreak

Yesterday, the IRS announced its new People First Initiative to assist taxpayers facing uncertainty over their taxes due to the Coronavirus outbreak. This initiative will provide relief to taxpayers on a variety of issues ranging from easing payment guidelines to postponing compliance actions. To determine whether this relief applies to your specific situation, review the IRS guidance here.

Additionally, yesterday the Senate passed the CARES Act, phase three of Congress’ Coronavirus economic relief package. As soon as President Trump signs the bill into law, I will provide resources that explain the economic relief the bill makes available to American families and small businesses.

For helpful resources regarding Coronavirus, assistance available to American families and businesses, and the steps Congress is taking to keep Americans safe and financially secure, visit the Coronavirus Updates page on my website here.

For Americans abroad, READ THIS.

As the Coronavirus outbreak unfolds, my office is working to help Americans abroad return home. As more information becomes available to help Americans overseas, it is imperative that those looking to return home enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling in STEP, you will receive communications from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to assist you in arranging for your travel home. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact my district office at (559) 733-3861 or send an e-mail through the contact form here.

In case you missed it, here is a story from The San Joaquin Valley Sun providing rolling updates on the number of Coronavirus cases in the Central Valley.

For helpful resources regarding Coronavirus, assistance available to American families and businesses, and the steps Congress is taking to keep Americans safe and financially secure, visit the Coronavirus Updates page on my website here.

An update on the number of Coronavirus cases in the Central Valley

I want to provide you an update on the number of Coronavirus cases in Fresno County and Tulare County. As of 3:30 PM today, Fresno County has conducted between 200 and 300 tests of Fresno County residents and confirmed 6 cases of Coronavirus. Tulare County has conducted 306 tests of Tulare County residents and confirmed 16 cases of Coronavirus. For rolling updates on the number of Coronavirus cases in the Central Valley, check out this story.

Separately, the IRS, Treasury Department, and Department of Labor late last week announced a plan to implement Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small businesses provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Click here for a breakdown of how these provisions will be implemented.

For helpful resources regarding Coronavirus, assistance available to American families and businesses, and the steps Congress is taking to keep Americans safe and financially secure, visit the Coronavirus Updates page on my website here.

URGENT: Before laying off employees, managers should read about this new law.

I want to bring your attention to stipulations in a recently enacted law that provide tax incentives for businesses to retain their workers during the Coronavirus outbreak. Please click here to read these provisions.

UPDATE: 200+ Coronavirus tests done in Fresno County

I want to update you regarding the spread of Coronavirus in the Central Valley. As of 10:30 AM yesterday, Fresno County Public Health officials have processed between 200 and 300 laboratory tests, with only 6 confirmed cases of Coronavirus. Given this data and the nature of how each confirmed case was acquired, Fresno County Public Health advises that the virus has not engaged in community spread at this point. This is good news. Let’s continue to practice proper hygiene and effective social distancing methods, per the CDC’s recommendations.

To read more about this developing story, click here. For helpful resources regarding Coronavirus, assistance available to American families and businesses, and the steps Congress is taking to keep Americans safe and financially secure, visit the Coronavirus Updates page on my website here.

A one-stop shop for Coronavirus resources

I have updated my website to include a resource page dedicated to keeping you informed on the latest Coronavirus developments. The page, which can be found here, includes the contact information for your local health officials, updates from the CDC, guidelines from the White House Coronavirus task force, and links to resources for financial assistance, legislative updates, and travel assistance. I will continually update this page as more information becomes available.

Additionally, I want to share a story with you from The San Joaquin Valley Sun examining the legal enforceability of the City of Fresno’s recent controversial shelter in place recommendation.

Coronavirus update: The taxman delays his visit

Yesterday, the U.S. Treasury Department postponed the due date for making Federal income tax payments from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. Any individual who owes less than $1 million or business that owes less than $10 million can defer their Federal income tax payment until July 15, and no additional forms will be required for these delayed filings.

With this move, the Trump administration has helped American families and small businesses keep their hard-earned money as we combat the spread of Coronavirus. I encourage you to visit the IRS’ Coronavirus tax relief page for more updates as they become available.

Separately, here is an article from The San Joaquin Valley Sun discussing the need for public health officials to make informed, data-driven decisions regarding Coronavirus.

Lastly, I want to ensure you are equipped with the contact information for your local health officials. I've compiled the contact information for the Fresno County Department of Public Health and the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency, as well as updates from the CDC, at my website.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Fresno’s controversial shelter in place order

Today, the Trump administration issued an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for single family homeowners with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgages for the next 60 days. Under these guidelines, homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages facing hardship due to the Coronavirus can get immediate relief to ensure they are not evicted or foreclosed upon during this uncertain time.

Additionally, the City of Fresno issued a controversial order today recommending that Fresno’s residents voluntarily shelter in place despite opposition to the order from the City of Clovis and Fresno County. No cities in Tulare County are affected by the order. You can get more details on the order in this story from The San Joaquin Valley Sun. Rest assured that I will keep you informed as we move ahead.

Lastly, I want to ensure you are equipped with the contact information for your local health officials. I've compiled the contact information for the Fresno County Department of Public Health and the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency, as well as updates from the CDC, at my website.

Coronavirus update: Financial relief for American families

I want to provide you with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s latest update on creating financial breathing room for American families during the Coronavirus pandemic.

To ensure that American families remain financially secure, President Trump is allowing the Treasury Department to “defer tax payments, without interest or penalties, for certain individuals and businesses negatively impacted.” This means that:

•  Families and small businesses can defer tax payments for 90 days.
• Penalties and interest that would otherwise apply during this nearly three-month period will be waived.
• Additionally, the Treasury Department will deploy $300 billion in targeted relief for those who need it. Taxpayers should continue to file their taxes by April 15 as normal. Many taxpayers will get refunds, providing additional funding to families that need it. However, if an eligible taxpayer owes a tax payment, they have the option to defer.

Lastly, I want to ensure you are equipped with the contact information for your local health officials. It is vital to remember that if you are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus or have come into contact with a person with Coronavirus, please call your doctor or local public health officials before seeking medical attention.

For the Fresno County Department of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Investigation Program, please call: (559) 600-3332. To receive updates regarding Coronavirus transmission in Fresno County, click here.

For the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency’s Communicable Disease Reporting, please call: 211 or (559) 685-5720. To receive updates regarding Coronavirus transmission in Tulare County, click here.

I will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available on this rapidly evolving situation. For continued updates and recommendations on how to stay safe and healthy, visit the CDC's website.

Combating Coronavirus in the Central Valley

As local, state, and federal officials continue to develop protocols to combat the spread of Coronavirus, I want to ensure you are equipped with the contact information for your local health officials. It is vital to remember that if you are experiencing symptoms of Coronavirus or have come into contact with a person with Coronavirus, please call your doctor or local public health officials before seeking medical attention.

For the Fresno County Department of Public Health’s Communicable Disease Investigation Program, please call: (559) 600-3332. To receive updates regarding Coronavirus transmission in Fresno County, click here.

For the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency’s Communicable Disease Reporting, please call: 211 or (559) 685-5720. To receive updates regarding Coronavirus transmission in Tulare County, click here.

I will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available on this rapidly evolving situation. For continued updates and recommendations on how to stay safe and healthy, visit the CDC's website.

Straight talk on the Coronavirus

As the federal government continues to respond to the spread of Coronavirus in the United States, I wanted to share this helpful interview between Dan Bongino and Dr. Christopher Centeno of Regenexx. Dr. Centeno provides clear information on how to navigate the spread of Coronavirus and keep Americans safe. Additionally, here are the CDC’s recommendations on how to stay safe and healthy.