Ernst Introduces Bill Rewarding COVID-19 Front Line Workers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, on Tuesday introduced her new bill to allow essential workers on the front lines of COVID-19 to keep more of their hard-earned dollars.

“Our essential workers have risen to the challenge and continued in their daily jobs – to care for and protect Iowans, to produce and deliver food and essential goods, and to uphold our nation’s critical infrastructure throughout this pandemic,” Ernst said. “These front line workers—our nurses, truck drivers, and grocery store workers, child care providers, and so many others—have kept life going and our supply chains intact. These men and women are putting the interests of their fellow Americans ahead of their own. Each and every morning, they wake up and go to work, and they should be rewarded for their selfless service.”

Under Ernst’s FRNT LINE Act, federal income taxes would be suspended for essential workers up to an annual income cap set at the highest level of pay for an enlisted person in the U.S. Armed Forces. Additionally, the bill would provide suspension of federal payroll taxes for essential workers who earn up to $50,000 annually.

Several industry groups—including the National Restaurant Association, the Food Industry Association, the International Dairy Foods Association, and 24 others– wrote a letter supporting Ernst’s FRNT LINE Act. 

“The FRNT LINE Act provides important tax benefits to essential food and agriculture workers, including restaurant workers. We’re proud to support this bill, which helps ensure we can continue feeding our communities and supporting our supply chain partners, ” said Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, National Restaurant Association.

“Our employees have done an outstanding job providing an essential service through this pandemic,” said Fareway President and CEO Reynolds W. Cramer. “In addition to our efforts internally over the past few months, we appreciate Senator Ernst’s efforts to recognize them for their unwavering commitment through this unparalleled time.”

Listen to her call with Iowa’s press below:

Watch her address her 99-county tour where she listened to Iowans’ concerns including the importance of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), support for rural health care, and access to child care for Iowa’s working families, and introduced her latest bill during a media avail.