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Dear Neighbor,
Yesterday, House Democrats passed the Heroes Act, our proposal for a fifth phase of coronavirus response legislation.
The Heroes Act provides $1 trillion for state and local governments and their schools over two years. It expands deadlines and eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program loans and 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 passage follows the enactment of four response packages previously passed by Congress over the past two months:
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These bills were a good start, but this is a long-term crisis that will require a continuous response. The Heroes Act is desperately needed to further protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people, and the life of our democracy. From saving the US Postal Service to relieving the financial burden on state and local governments, this legislation is a critical next step in our response to COVID-19.
Specifically, the Heroes Act:
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- Commits another $75 billion for the testing, tracing and treatment we need in order to have a science-based path to safely reopen our country and helping 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 Security — with COBRA subsidies and a special enrollment period in the ACA exchanges for those without insurance.
- Workplace Security – requiring OSHA to ensure that all workplaces develop science-based infection control plans and preventing employers from retaliating against workers who report problems.
- Housing Security – with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments and other housing-related costs.
- Food Security – with a 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
- Protects the life of our democracy with new resources to ensure safe elections and an accurate Census.
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I am also pleased to share that several important provisions that I introduced have been included in the Heroes Act:
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- US Postal Service reform: Provides $25 billion in funding to save the Post Office, 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 my 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.
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Additionally, I 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.
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Some have suggested we need to "pause" our response to the crisis. But this virus is not on pause. The exploding economic needs of Americans are not on pause. The price tag on the Heroes Act is big, but the economic hole this pandemic has created is bigger. And, as Speaker Pelosi said, the American people are worth it.
I was proud to support the Heroes Act on the House floor last night.
Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other, and remember that my office is here to help. Be sure to visit the COVID-19 page on my website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to call us at (703) 256-3071.
Sincerely,
Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress
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Washington, DC Office
2238 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-1492
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Annandale Office
4115 Annandale Road, Ste. 103
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: (703) 256-3071
Fax: (703) 354-1284
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Prince William Office
2241-D Tacketts Mill Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Phone: (571) 408-4407
Fax: (571) 408-4708
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