Bryan asked congressional leaders for additional federal COVID-19 relief for U.S. Virgin Islands

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. sent a letter to congressional leaders on April 21, 2020, requesting additional federal assistance for the U.S. Virgin Islands as Congress considered another national COVID-19 stimulus measure.

The letter was addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. Government House said the requests were in addition to emergency measures Bryan had sought from the leaders on April 8, 2020.

According to Government House, Bryan asked for cancellation of $300 million in Community Disaster Loans tied to Hurricanes Irma and Maria; an increase in CARES Act funding for insular areas of $206 million; a waiver of local cost-sharing requirements for Hurricanes Irma and Maria and for the COVID-19 disaster declaration; and cancellation of about $60 million in Unemployment Trust Fund debt.

He also requested federal reimbursement for tax provisions paid locally through the territory's mirrored tax code, equal treatment and reimbursement for local hospitals, forgiveness of Small Business Administration loans from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, promotion of investment in the territory, and additional funding and resources for border protection.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-contacts-congressional-leaders-to-request-additional-federal-covid-19-relief/