Lexington, Ky – Congressman Andy Barr, a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, is thanking Kentucky County Clerks who are continuing to provide their essential services in support of emergency lending to Kentuckians while adhering to social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is critical that the services County Clerks provide to Kentuckians remain accessible throughout this pandemic,” Barr said. “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as well as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Secretary of State Michael Adams, have all provided guidance declaring County Clerks and their employees as essential critical infrastructure workers.
“I am grateful for the County Clerks in Kentucky who are following these recommendations and remaining open as they are providing essential services to keep our economy going,” Barr continued. “Congress recently passed, with my support, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established the Paycheck Protection Program to keep small businesses afloat. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I personally worked on related provisions in the legislation which directed federal financial regulators to give lenders flexibility to modify loans and offer forbearance options to borrowers in need of temporary relief as they deal with the COVID-19 related shutdown of the economy. The CARES Act could not be implemented in the timely manner intended by Congress without County Clerks remaining open and operating.
“The hardworking public servants in Kentucky’s County Clerks’ offices provide critical services, including title search, notary, and lien recording activities in support of mortgage, real estate and business services and transactions. I appreciate the risks County Clerks and their staff assume by performing their duties during this pandemic even while maintaining social distancing. That is why I call on my fellow Kentuckians to join me in expressing our gratitude for those County Clerks and their staff who continue to serve the public throughout the duration of this public health emergency,” Barr concluded.
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