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Washington – Today Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (GA-05) released a letter written to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asking for answers about continued delays of stimulus payments to millions of Americans. The Chairmen cited news reports of payments incorrectly going to tax preparers or third-party banks and not the intended taxpayer.

Washington – Today, Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to express concern that much of the critical aid in the CARES Act never made it to legitimate small businesses to help keep workers on the payroll. One example is the reports that Potbelly and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse received major funding while small restaurants were left empty-handed. Thompson asked for answers as to whether these programs are being administered as intended in order to help small businesses.

Washington – Today Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (GA-05) wrote to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asking for an immediate explanation regarding news reports that the President's name was being added to the economic impact payments at the last minute and potentially delaying the delivery of this badly needed economic relief. The Chairmen demanded an immediate answer and a timeline by which these checks would be sent. A copy of the letter is below.

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced the introduction of the Business Interruption Insurance Coverage Act of 2020, a bipartisan bill to ensure businesses who purchase interruption insurance won't get their claims denied because of major events, such as the Coronavirus pandemic, public safety power shutoffs or evacuations. This insurance compensates businesses for lost revenue when they are forced to close and, in many cases, is the difference between staying open and closing permanently. A statement from Thompson is below.

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-28) and Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) lauded the announcement by the Federal Reserve that it will temporarily lift restrictions that had previously made it difficult for Wells Fargo small business customers to access the resources provided in the CARES Act to cope with disruptions due to Coronavirus. The Members had previously written to the Chairman asking him to make this kind of change.

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that he has pushed back the deadline and changed the guidelines for high schoolers to submit artwork as part of his 2020 Congressional Art Competition. These changes reflect the Shelter at Home and social distancing guidance issued by local and state authorities.

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-28) and Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) wrote to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell asking him to ensure small businesses can access the economic relief provided in the CARES Act. They cited Wells Fargo Bank's limitations on participation in the Paycheck Protection Program to existing customers as a policy causing exceptional hardship for some small businesses and ask Federal Reserve to consider limited and appropriate regulatory flexibility. A copy of the letter is below.

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) wrote to Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper asking him to remove Acting Secretary Thomas Modly, citing Modly's unacceptable attack on Captain Crozier in remarks to Crozier's former crew. In that address, he called Crozier stupid and naïve for alerting Navy leadership to the dangers of the spread of Coronavirus among his crew. A copy of the letter is below.