((a)) ** Financial assistance for employee wages, salaries, and benefits** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, to preserve aviation jobs and compensate air carrier industry workers, the Secretary shall provide financial assistance that shall exclusively be used for the continuation of payment of employee wages, salaries, and benefits to—

((1)) passenger air carriers, in an aggregate amount up to $15,000,000,000; and

((2)) contractors, in an aggregate amount up to $1,000,000,000.

((b)) ** Administrative expenses** Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may use funds made available under for costs and administrative expenses associated with providing financial assistance under this part.section 9072(b) of this title