Larson Votes for Coronavirus Emergency Aid

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for an $8.3 billion emergency funding package to address and combat the public health threat posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The legislation provides new funding for a vigorous and comprehensive response to the crisis, as well as support for state and local health agencies, vaccine and treatment development, and loans for affected small businesses.

"Ensuring our communities have the resources they need is critical to an effective, coordinated, and comprehensive response that addresses this growing epidemic," said Larson. "This emergency package provides entirely new funding to combat the Coronavirus and keep Americans safe. By providing our state and local agencies, as well as our local community health centers, with the resources necessary to prevent, diagnose, and treat this epidemic we can limit its reach. Our state and local public health agencies, local hospitals, and health centers are under immense pressure to properly prepare and respond to this emergency. This legislation will provide them with much needed relief. Leader McConnell should quickly pass this bipartisan bill and the President should sign it into law."

The 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;
• $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
• $1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home; and
• Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency.

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