WASHINGTON--Tonight, Congress took an important step towards getting relief to millions of Americans whose lives have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on bipartisan legislation to fund the federal government and deliver emergency aid so desperately needed by individuals, families, and small businesses across the country.
Among other provisions, this COVID-19 stimulus package includes $600 for direct payments to individuals (up to $2400 for a family of four), $25 billion in rental assistance and eviction protections for families, enhanced unemployment insurance assistance, and expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) benefits for women, children and families during this historic hunger crisis. It also includes earned income tax benefits for struggling families and the largest Pell Grant expansion for college students in over a decade. We also secured $82 billion in K-12 and college education funding (including HVAC mitigation funding and child care assistance for working families), over $300 billion in emergency funding for small businesses, $90 billion in medical care for veterans, and over $100 billion for the purchase of new vaccines and COVID-19 vaccine research, manufacturing, and distribution.
The Democratic-led House passed the Heroes Act stimulus package in May of this year. It took Senate Republicans seven months, a holiday season, a looming government shutdown, and an upcoming Georgia Senate run-off election to finally come to the table for bipartisan negotiations. And despite providing a critical lifeline for many, this bill falls short of providing adequate support needed for state and local governments currently struggling to stay afloat.
I share the frustration and dissatisfaction so many Americans feel right now.
This legislation, while a step in the right direction, is 220 days overdue. That said, I am grateful to our Democratic leadership for their steadfast negotiations and for working to secure billions in critical funding.
In addition to the COVID-19 relief legislation, today the House also passed an omnibus government funding package that has far-reaching benefits for our communities. It includes funding to address the gun violence epidemic, combat climate change and support for our veterans and military families.
It is clear the recovery we need will not come overnight, but hope is on the horizon. In 30 days, the newly inaugurated Biden-Harris Administration will have an opportunity to turn the tide on this grave national emergency. I look forward to working with the new Administration on implementing a comprehensive federal plan for vaccine distribution and more robust funding to save lives and protect livelihoods.
Today was the first step of many that we will have to take to build this country back better. We will work to get these bills to the president's desk and will continue this fight until our families, frontline workers, and businesses get the help they so desperately need.