What the CARES Act Means to You and the Church
By Q. Bernard Driskell, Columnist
I am not a healthcare professional. At least, I do not consider myself one. I work in healthcare politics or healthcare policy and have for the last eight years of my career in government relations.
My job is simple: I help to influence healthcare legislation and provide financial campaign contributions to incumbents and candidates who support certain healthcare initiatives that benefit the company and patients I represent on Capitol Hill. I lobby and have provided the patient voice into policy and research deliberations through my work and relationship with Congress, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Throughout my career, two pieces of legislation that I had active input have become law.
Moreover, most recently, I lobbied for the passage for H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, phases one and two, the COVID-19 relief legislation that will provide an economic relief plan for the coronavirus that includes free testing, paid leave, food assistance, and expanded unemployment insurance. I also lobbied for phase three of the largest stimulus package in U.S. history in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748) is the third major bill passed by Congress to address the outbreak.
My career history is shared because of the toxic mix of scientific ignorance and paranoia, often resulting from misinformation relayed global-wide regarding HIV/AIDS, SARS, and Ebola. COVID-19 communications must correct this type of misinformation head-on. While I assist in writing and moving legislation, I listen to the medical and scientific experts who know the science and epidemiology behind the diseases.
Yet, I am also the pastor of a small and historic church; which—like many—have had to convene virtual worship. Beyond the pragmatic decision to host services electronically, many bemoaned the emergence of self-proclaimed theological responses to the COVID-19 crisis circulating on social media. Among them was the belief that if Christians significantly adjusted their lives because of COVID-19, it signaled a true lack of faith.
The founder of one of the largest denominational bodies among Black congregations, Bishop Paul Morton, cautioned against the closure of churches, citing they were a “spiritual hospital and spiritual police department.” I know some preachers and churches are planning an in-person spectacular service for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. They have decided that Jesus will not be outdone by COVID-19. However, please do not lay down your cross to follow Trump.
I believe in deliverance; however, I also believe in science and medicine. Science, religion, and faith are not in opposition to each other.
Science allows us to explore cause and effect and predict and navigate responses to physical circumstances in a material world. Religion or theology asks deeper questions in the spiritual or metaphysical—not physical—dimensions. It seeks meaning. Science and religion play complementary roles in human understanding.
This pandemic has exposed that the Black Church has to be operationally adaptable and resilient in maintaining relevance. This global pandemic is forcing us to utilize technology and digital tools at school, work, and church. Fundamentally, how we do church must be adaptable with the incorporation of technology. What is already done in person and moving it online is not enough.
Not a single person in America, let alone the entire planet, is immune from feeling the impact of COVID-19 in some form. We deserve—and must demand—clear-eyed, competent, honest, and genuine leadership from those entrusted with the responsibility to guide us through this unsettling and unprecedented time. This means understanding legislation and utilizing technology.
There are some significant characteristics included in the legislation that might help you, your community centers, and churches. The Stimulus Package Rebate of the CARES Act includes a $1,200 one-time payment to Americans making up to $75,000 per year. An additional $500 will be given to each household per child. Payments will decrease for those with incomes above $75,000 and will not be provided to those making more than $99,000.
The legislation will provide $500 billion in loans and other assistance for corporations, as well as states and cities, impacted by the virus. An additional $377 billion will be provided to small businesses.
Eligibility for unemployment insurance will be expanded under the law and the maximum unemployment benefit will be increased by $600 per week for four months. States will receive $400 million in election assistance for 2020 to expand voting by mail, early voting, and online voter registration.
The CARES Act will also allow student loan payments to be deferred for six months. Federal excise taxes for distillers that are currently using their facilities to produce certain hand sanitizers during the outbreak will be temporarily eliminated.
Many black Americans are small business entrepreneurs. Under the CARES Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for overseeing a variety of loan and grant programs aimed at helping America’s small businesses. Here is a thorough guide to assist in the CARES Act. As a result of the CARES Act, small businesses may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, grants from the SBA’s Emergency Economic Injury Grants programs and the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, and debt relief for SBA borrowers.
The CARES Act provides relief to churches, nonprofits, Christian schools that are 501c3s, and small businesses. It provides loans to these organizations to help them through the period between February 15-June 30, 2020, during the COVID-19 crisis. There is approximately $349 billion set aside for this program. Employers with up to 500 employees at one location are eligible. Loan funds can be used to cover the following expenses payroll costs like salaries, wages, and payments of a cash tip; vacation, parental, family, medical, and sick leaves; health benefits; retirement benefits; and state and local taxes. Benefits are limited to $100K annual salary or wage for each employee. Note that there is no clarification at this time on pastoral housing allowances.
There is a good faith certification, where individuals will need to certify the loan will be used to support ongoing operations; retain workers; maintain payroll; or make mortgage, lease, and utility payments.
The full amount of the loan can be forgiven given some parameters. Essentially, the loan is forgivable if you employ the same number of people during the loan period as you did last year. Nonprofits should closely monitor opportunities to apply for grants from the SBA’s Emergency Economic Injury programs and the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The legislation also permits a temporary, partial $300 above-the-line deduction for charitable contributions and temporarily increases the limitations on charitable deductions to public charities and corporate food contributions in 2020. Nonprofits, churches, and charities should closely monitor the IRS website for guidance as it becomes available.
Please share resources with churches, friends, neighbors, and small business owners who have questions and concerns. Also, small business owners should frequently check the SBA website as well as the IRS website for updates or contact your congressional offices.
The Rev. Quardricos Bernard Driskell is a federal lobbyist, adjunct professor of religion and politics at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, and the pastor of the historic Beulah Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. Follow him on Twitter @q_driskell4.
