WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Mitt Romney has joined a bipartisan effort to provide financial security for people in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The effort, led by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and James Risch (R-ID) calls for the Senate to ensure long-term funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) and the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) programs.
"These two programs fund roads, schools, law enforcement, and essential county services, such as public health programs,” the senators wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “With inadequate funding and now additional demands on their resources, rural communities and counties are at the breaking point.”
Click here to read the full text of the letter. [PDF]
Also signing the letter were Senators Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Boozman (R-AR), Jon Tester (D-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tim Scott (R-SC), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Patty Murray (D-WA).