Rep. García’s Statement on the Emergency Supplemental Funding Bill to Address Coronavirus

Washington, DC- Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) released the following statement today on the passage of H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, that provides emergency federal funding to address the coronavirus:

"Our country needs an effective and coordinated government response to confront the coronavirus. Today, I voted to approve $8.3 billion in emergency funding to meet the scale and severity of this public health crisis.

"This funding will provide states the resources they need and fund vaccine development. Once a vaccine is made available, I will work with my colleagues and Illinois health officials to ensure it remains affordable and accessible for all, including undocumented immigrants throughout Chicago.

"As the outbreak of this respiratory disease unfolds, my staff will continue sharing critical resources and information to ensure the health and safety of the public and my constituents."

The emergency supplemental funding bill includes:

• More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
• $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
• Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
• $435 million to support health systems overseas to prevent, prepare, and respond to the coronavirus;
• $300 million to respond to humanitarian needs;
• $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions; and
• Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses.

The emergency supplemental bill also contains strong provisions to ensure a full response and keep Americans safe. The bill:

• Requires that funds are only used to fight the coronavirus and other infectious diseases;
• Allows seniors to access telemedicine services for coronavirus treatment;
• Helps ensure that vaccines and treatments for coronavirus are affordable; and
• Ensures that state and local governments are reimbursed for costs incurred while assisting the federal response.

Additionally, the bill includes a requirement to reimburse $136 million to important health accounts, including mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention and heating and cooling assistance for low-income families, that was transferred by the Trump administration to support its response.

The text of the coronavirus supplemental, H.R. 6074, is here. A summary of H.R. 6074 is here.

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