Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18), Albio Sires (NY-08), John Rose (TN-06), and David Price (NC-04) led over 70 Members of Congress in sending a letter urging the U.S. Department of Treasury to implement as soon as possible the bipartisan Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act. Provisions from the CERTS Act were included in the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was signed into law in December.
The CERTS Act, introduced by Rep. LaHood and Rep. Sires in July of 2020, provides emergency relief funding in the form of grants to motorcoach operators, private school bus companies, and U.S. flag passenger vessel operators.
"Illinois’ motorcoach and bus companies provide important transportation services to communities across our region and offer good-paying jobs," said Rep. LaHood. "To ensure that these transportation service providers are ready and available for Americans once the economy reopens, Congress acted in a bipartisan manner to pass this relief. That is why the U.S. Department of Treasury must move as quickly as possible to provide financial assistance."
“The motorcoach industry has been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and provides critical services to New Jersey’s 8th district and surrounding areas,” said Rep. Albio Sires. “While I am glad that provisions from the CERTS Act were included in the COVID relief bill that passed last December, the motorcoach industry has waited long enough to receive that aid. That is why I am calling on the Department of Treasury to move expeditiously to get this program up and running so these funds can be released, and this hurting industry can finally receive the financial assistance it needs.”
“Vital transportation providers across Tennessee desperately need to continue to operate and serve the traveling public. Motorcoach, passenger vessel, and school bus industries not only provide good-paying jobs, but play a crucial role in our state’s travel, tourism, and music industries. I am committed to helping these transportation service providers, many of which are family-owned and operated, secure the targeted federal assistance they need in order to survive,” said Rep. Rose.
“Motorcoach operators and other transportation service providers—many of which are locally-owned small businesses—are struggling to keep employees on payroll and maintain operations due to COVID-19,” said Congressman David Price. “If we want to quickly recover from the pandemic, we will need these services to get to work, go to school, and facilitate travel and tourism activities that strengthen our economy. While there are understandable challenges associated with standing up a new assistance program, I encourage the Treasury Department to put the ‘pedal to the metal’ so relief can be distributed as expeditiously as possible.”
The full letter can be read HERE and below.
March 17, 2021
The Honorable Janet Yellen
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20220
Dear Secretary Yellen:
Congratulations on your recent confirmation to lead the U.S. Department of Treasury. We write today to request your assistance in implementing the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act provisions included in the recently-enacted Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
We supported the CERTS Act because America’s motorcoach, school bus, and passenger vessel industries have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These industries play an essential role in national and community transportation networks, providing vital services for large and small as well as urban and rural communities. For example, the motorcoach industry recently provided more than 700 buses to transport National Guard troops to Washington D.C. to protect our nation’s capital.
This past year has been incredibly challenging for these vital transportation providers as almost all major sources of business and revenue has been severely restricted or eliminated by state mandated closures – including school and sports-related travel, tourism, and mass public events. Unfortunately, indicators forecast that we will not be returning to normal operations for months. To ensure that these transportation service providers are ready and available for Americans once the economy reopens, emergency funding for these industries is necessary. That is why the U.S. Department of Treasury must move as quickly as possible to provide financial assistance, as authorized by Congress, to these companies that desperately need to keep their employees on payroll and cover increased operating costs.
We are encouraged to hear that Treasury staff has recently been consulting with various industry and advocacy groups, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation. We look forward to working with you to ensure expeditious implementation of the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act provisions.
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