AUSTIN (1080 KRLD) - Texas Senator John Cornyn says plans are in the works for a fourth round of stimulus.
On a conference call with reporters on Thursday, he said he's pushing for phase 4 to include legislation preventing people from suing businesses over coronavirus-related liability. Sen. Cornyn thinks reopening the economy becomes more difficult without the legal protections against COVID-19-related lawsuits. "I think it has the potential to damage public confidence about emerging slowly from the lockdown that we have all participated in."
Cornyn added that they're also considering more help for those on the frontlines of the pandemic fight. "We'll also be looking at additional protections for healthcare workers, meat packers, and others who put their safety on the line while serving others."
Cornyn's also been working with the Texas Council on Family Violence on finding a way to add stimulus money for the victims of domestic abuse, especially after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. "Can you imagine being confined with your abuser and no money coming in the front door, nowhere else to go, and the violence escalating, perhaps because of alcohol abuse and just general anxiety about what the future looks like."
As for stimulus relief for the Texas energy sector, Cornyn says he's been reaching out to the power players in Washington DC, including President Trump, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. "I'll be looking to make sure that the energy sector, which provides 40% of the oil and gas for the United States, gets to participate in additional support and relief. Just like every other business in America."
Cornyn said one option, leveling tariffs on imported oil was discussed but quickly rejected. "Many of our integrated oil companies operate refineries too. And so they are very much opposed to additional tariffs." Cornyn says they've also had no success in getting the US Department of the Treasury to allow the energy sector access the Federal loans put forth in the first stimulus package. "There isn't a lot of political correctness going on in terms of access to those funds, which are important to all American businesses, including those in the energy sector."
