Supplemental Funding

I voted to approve emergency supplemental funding to combat coronavirus.  The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, and I am grateful that Congress was able to come together and take decisive action against this virus.

This bill allows us to continue to address the virus at home and abroad, including expediting vaccine development, purchasing essential equipment and supplies, and assisting state and local health departments.

It includes:

• More than $4 billion to make diagnostic tests more broadly available; to support treatments to ease the symptoms of those diagnosed with the virus; and to invest in vaccine development and to procure vaccines when they are available.
• $2.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a robust response, including:

• Nearly $1 billion exclusively for state and local response efforts; and
• $300 million for CDC’s Infectious Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund to prevent, prepare for, and respond to diseases.

• $20 million to administer disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by the virus.

• $1.25 billion for the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to protect Americans abroad and prevent the spread of the virus worldwide, including:
  • $264 million to evacuate Americans and maintain consular operations overseas; and
  • $200 million for USAID’s Emergency Response Fund to prepare for and respond to emerging health threats – working to prevent the spread of illness and infection before it reaches U.S. soil.