U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria represents Virginia's Second Congressional District. Prior to her election in 2018, Rep. Luria served two decades in the Navy, retiring at the rank of Commander. Rep. Luria served at sea on six ships as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific, and culminated her Navy career by commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors. Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee and a member the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rep. Luria was one of the first women in the Navy's nuclear power program and among the first women to serve the entirety of her career in combatant ships. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the committee's Vice Chair, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Homeland Security. Of all members in the House Democratic Caucus, she served the longest on active duty, having completed 20 years of active military service with the U.S. Navy. Rep. Luria graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and received a master's in engineering management from Old Dominion University.
As a former small business owner, I am committed to growing Coastal Virginia's business community and ensuring all American families and small businesses have the resources they need to thrive. Since taking office, I have toured dozens of local businesses in our district to hear directly from constituents about how Congress can cut through red tape, grow our regional economy, and create jobs. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have continued to support affected industries and small businesses by passing small business legislation and creating a Small Business Hotline.
Businesses are struggling, which is why on March 27, 2020, I voted for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This bill created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and provided the Small Business Administration $10 billion to distribute to small businesses and nonprofits in direct grant funding and almost $350 billion for low-interest loans. I also cosponsored H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, which allowed small businesses to spend PPP loan proceeds within 24 weeks instead of the original 8 weeks. These laws have helped small businesses stay afloat during this crisis and has ensured that workers in hard-hit industries will stay on their companies' payroll.
I've talked with many local seasonal small businesses, including restaurants, that certain requirements meant that federal loans would not be enough to recover losses from their peak season. In response, on April 23, I called for reforms to the PPP to give seasonal businesses more flexibility in choosing their loan base period. On April 28, the Department of Treasury issued a new rule for the PPP to assist seasonal businesses. I also became a cosponsor of H.R. 7197, the RESTAURANTS Act, which would create a $120 billion grant fund for restaurants and caterers to survive the pandemic.
As our economy recovers, we must ensure American workers have the skills needed to attain good-paying jobs. That is why I am working to support apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, and access to broadband so workers can have the skills they need to advance their careers. I am also fighting for the working women of our district by being an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill will help ensure women get equal pay for equal work.