TRAGIC

Rep. Maxine Waters Says Her Sister Is Dying From Coronavirus Complications

The California congresswoman dedicated the next round of legislation aimed at helping small business and hospitals to her sister.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) revealed on Thursday that her sister is dying in a Missouri hospital from coronavirus complications. Waters was speaking on the House floor in support of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which is expected to pass a House vote on Thursday for additional funds to be allocated. The legislation provides $370 billion in funding for small business loans as well as $100 billion for hospitals and coronavirus testing. “I’m going to take a moment to dedicate this legislation to my dear sister who is dying in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri right now, infected by the coronavirus,” Waters said.

Some of the funding for business loans will be targeted to smaller businesses, particularly mom-and-pop and minority-owned businesses, after criticism that the first round of loans, which were allocated in just a few days, went to many large, publicly-owned businesses and chains. “We need to do much more to help renters, home owners, people experiencing homelessness and mom-and-pop landlords,” Waters said.