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Congress people secure additional support for workers in newest House coronavirus aid package

Photo: top row (l to r)-Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-03), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) bottom row (l to r): Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13)

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05); Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-03) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) held a call with regional reporters today as House Democrats prepare to vote this week on the Heroes Act-which includes critical support for frontline workers that Midwest Democrats have been fighting for, along with additional direct payments to families who are struggling, and investments in testing, small businesses and more.

“As this pandemic continues to disrupt our daily life and thousands more fall ill each day, we need a sustained federal response that provides necessary funding for health care providers, frontline personnel, and essential workers to continue to do the important jobs they do,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “That means providing support for cities and states working to overcome drastic revenue losses in the face of this unexpected disaster. I’m proud that House Democrats have introduced a proposal to do just that, while also providing direct funding to American families and establishing a testing, tracing, and treatment system that will allow us to reopen parts of our economy using science and fact-based metrics.”

Congressman Ryan also applauded the introduction of the Heroes Act.

“Without this funding, our local communities are being forced to cut critical services and lay off first responders,” he said.

THE HEROES ACT:

• Commits another $75 billion for the testing, tracing and treatment and helps ensure that every American can
access free coronavirus treatment.
• Provides strong support for our heroes with nearly $1 trillion for state, local, territorial and tribal
governments on the frontlines who desperately need funds to pay the health care workers, police, fire,
transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their
jobs. The Heroes Act will also establish a $200 billion Heroes’ fund to ensure that essential workers
receive hazard pay.
• Puts money in the pockets of workers with a second round of direct payments to families up to $6,000 per
household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs and
extending weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January.
• Supports small businesses by strengthening the Payroll Protection Program to ensure that it reaches
underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types and responds flexibly to small businesses by
providing $10 billion for COVID-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
• Ensures further support for Americans, including for health, workplace, housing and food security.
• In addition, it protects the life of our democracy with new resources to ensure safe elections, an accurate
census and preservation of the postal service.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell – who blocked aid in the most recent package – recently said he believes states should be forced to file bankruptcy, putting the livelihoods of frontline public service workers at risk. Last month, President Donald Trump indicated he would support funding for state, tribal and local governments in the next package. But soon after, the president indicated he may be backtracking on that promise.

The House is expected to pass the Heroes Act this week. Then it will go to the Senate. Kildee, Dingell, Yarmuth, and Ryan are urging McConnell to take up and pass the bill swiftly.

“As our country continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, Democrats are focused on two things: saving lives and supporting the families, workers, seniors and small businesses who make our economy work,” said Kildee. “We are continuing our work for the people by introducing The Heroes Act; new comprehensive legislation as our country continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Democrats and Republicans are not enemies—the virus is the enemy, and we need a national strategy and leadership to navigate this crisis.”

“Frontline public service workers, from police and fire to healthcare and EMS, are putting their lives at risk every day during this pandemic,” said Dingell. “The next aid package must put families and communities first by ensuring that public services, and the dedicated workers who provide them, are protected.

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