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Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Chairman of the House Government Operations subcommittee, released the following statement on the introduction of The Heroes Act. The legislation includes provisions introduced by Connolly to save the Postal Service, increase funding and flexibility for state and local governments, expand telework, invest in IT modernization, provide clarity for contractor reimbursements, and Connolly’s bipartisan Global Health Security Act.  

“The just introduced Heroes Act will be voted on in the House of Representatives Friday. It provides $1 trillion for state and local governments and their schools over two years. It expands deadlines and eligibility for PPP loans/grants that will help our restaurants and nonprofits. And it provides direct assistance to American families and students and cash for the beleaguered Postal Service. Its $3 trillion price tag is big but so is the economic hole this pandemic has created. Republicans want a pause, but the virus is not on pause, and the exploding economic needs of Americans are not on pause. I will support the Heroes Act.”

Specific provisions offered by Connolly include:

• USPS reform: Provides $25 billion in funding for the USPS and removes onerous restrictions on the $10 billion line of credit authorized in the CARES Act.

• Fair RETIRE Act for coronavirus related illness: Allows federal first responders to continue to receive/pay into enhanced retirement if they are disabled and placed into another civil service position.

• Mandatory Telework: Mandates that agencies allow contractor personnel to telework during the coronavirus health emergency if their work can be conducted remotely and to provide periodic reports to Congress.

• Global Health Security Act: Includes Connolly’s bipartisan Global Health Security Act legislation that reaffirms the United States’ commitment to promoting global health security and is crucial to combatting the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

• Technology Modernization Fund: Invests $1 billion into the Technology Modernization Fund to help federal agencies update IT infrastructure.

As the former Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Connolly led the charge for increased funding and flexibility for state and local governments as the response to COVID-19 continues to strain their budgets. The Heroes Act:

• Provides $500 billion to state governments over two years, including $12 billion for Virginia.
• Provides $375 billion to local governments over two years, including nearly $1 billion for Fairfax and Prince William counties.
• Expands the use of funds to cover lost, delayed, or decreased revenue stemming from the COVID public health emergency.