Investigating the federal government's failed response to Covid-19 and demanding transparency and accountability through congressional oversight

Information and Resources:

2020-2023 Timeline

March:

Vaccine - Federal and State resources

Federal Resources

Early Treatment Efforts

Johnson Organizes Physician Letter to President Urging Action on Hydroxychloroquine

Senator Johnson spearheaded a campaign to solicit support for a letter urging President Trump to take two specific actions:

  • Issue a presidential directive to remove the FDA Emergency Use Authorization restriction that states hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ) from the Strategic National Stockpile are only approved "for certain hospitalized patients," and to direct the FDA to include the option of early outpatient use of these medications.  

  • Issue a presidential directive or executive order to a) prohibit governors from arbitrarily restricting hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to only hospitalized patients, and b) prohibit state medical boards and state pharmacy boards from threats of disciplinary action (now occurring in multiple states) against doctors and pharmacists legally prescribing and dispensing HCQ and CQ off-label for early treatment or prophylaxis for COVID-19 in outpatients or at-risk or exposed persons.

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Johnson Forwards Letter Urging Action on Hydroxychloroquine to President Trump

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson forwards a letter with thousands of new signatures to President Trump, urging the president to help give patients the right to try hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the course of their COVID-19 diagnosis.

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Johnson holds hearing on early Outpatient Treatment: An Essential Part of a COVID-19 Solution

Excerpt: “To me, it is obvious that we should robustly explore every possible treatment to combat this pandemic at every stage of the disease. Why has there been such resistance to low cost, off the shelf therapies that might stop the progression of COVID-19 and help keep people out of hospitals and intensive care?

“I hope today’s hearing can answer that question and provide direction on how to correct this glaring blunder that has cost far too many lives.”

Watch the hearing here

Johnson Discusses COVID Early Treatment, Vaccine on Fox News

Senator Johnson discussed the importance of early treatment of COVID even as vaccines begin to be distributed.

Read Press Release

Johnson holds hearing on COVID Early Treatment

Dr. Pierre Kory's opening statement had more than 8 million views on YouTube before being removed from the site.

Dr. Pierre Kory (FLCCC Alliance) testifies to senate committee about I-MASK+ (writen testimony) from FLCCC Alliance.

Senator Johnson’s statement regarding the video’s removal from YouTube:

“On December 8, we held the second hearing on early at-home treatment options for COVID-19. But before this hearing even started the disinformation campaign already began. “The New York Times and other mainstream media didn't even wait for our hearing to begin before starting their attacks. It's stunning how close-minded their approach to early treatment of COVID-19 has been. […]
“People are obviously hungry for this information.”

Johnson is censored by YouTube for posting hearing video

2020 CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was the first COVID-19 relief legislation signed into law on March 27, 2020. Subsequent relief measures have since been enacted. 

TREASURY PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS

  • Most adults are eligible for a one-time $1200 payment.

  • Single adults with an adjusted gross income above $75,000 will receive less, and those above $99,000 are not eligible. These figures double for married couples without children.

  • Qualifying children 16 and under yield an additional $500 payment.

  • The IRS will use your existing tax return bank account information for these direct deposit payments. Physical notice of payment will arrive by mail several weeks after disbursement. Follow links below to the IRS website

  • The Senate Finance Committee has a detailed FAQ page, which you can read here.

SMALL BUSINESSES

  • Small businesses, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (including churches), a 501(c)(19) veterans organizations, and tribal businesses are eligible to apply for Small Business Administration loans authorized in the Cares Act.

  • Follow the Coronavirus Tax Relief for Businesses and Tax-Exempt Entities link for information on the IRS website.

  • More resources to help small businesses navigate the coronavirus pandemic can be found here.

STUDENT LOANS

  • Automatic payment suspensions will go into place for any student loan held by the federal government until Aug. 29, 2023 if the ongoing litigation has not been resolved by June 30.

  • Interest shall not accrue on federal student loans during this time.

  • The suspension will not negatively impact your qualification for the student loan forgiveness program. Your payment count should go up one payment per month until Aug. 29, 2023, despite the payment suspension.

  • Contacting your loan servicer is best if you have questions related to your specific situation.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

  • Required minimum distributions, from accounts or plans that typically require them, will not be mandated for calendar year 2020.

Small Businesses Assistant

Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources:

  • Comprehensive small business guidance and loan assistance information from the Small Business Administration (SBA) can be found here.

    • Information on SBA products and resources for accessing capital and getting export assistance can be found here.

  • The SBA announced it would offer disaster assistance loans up to $2 million for small businesses affected by the novel coronavirus. Information on the SBA's Disaster Loan Assistance program can be found here.

  • Stay up to date with the latest from the federal Small Business Administration. Sign up for their newsletter here.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Resources:

A variety of resources available to Wisconsin small businesses through the state government’s economic development arm, the WEDC, can be found here.

  • Information about WEDC’s Small Business 20/20 grant program for affected businesses can be found here.

  • Find your regional WEDC economic development director here.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers:

  • Information on steps employers can take to maximize safety, prepare for a coronavirus outbreak in the US, and create a response plan can be found here.

  • Suggested steps for cleaning areas where those suspected or confirmed to have coronavirus have been can be found here.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

  • A report on PPP approved dollars through 4/16/20 can be found here. So far, Wisconsin is getting more than the expected share of funds.

  • An overview of the program can be found here and an FAQ guide is here.

  • Information for borrowers can be found here. The application can be found here.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Resources:

The Treasury Department and IRS announced an extension to May 17, 2021 for the federal income tax filing deadline for the 2020 tax year.

Department of Labor Resources:

  • Updated guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Services Administration (OSHA) for retail employers on how to help protect workers from exposure to coronavirus is here.

  • Guidelines and recommendations from OSHA to help companies prepare for and respond to coronavirus in the workplace can be found here.

  • The Department of Labor has a frequently asked questions page about how the public health emergency affects labor rules and regulations.

  • The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published its first round of implementation guidance pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

    • A fact sheet for employees can be found here.

    • A fact sheet for employers can be found here.

    • Common questions and answers can be found here.

Resources for Farmers:

U.S. Department of Agriculture resources and information for farmers and ranchers can be found here.

Congressional Research Service Resources:

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) staff is engaged in assisting Congress through research and consultation on COVID-19. A directory of CRS resources on the novel coronavirus can be found here