Coronavirus
Responding to Coronavirus
House Democrats are working to address the public health emergency created by the outbreak of a new coronavirus, named COVID-19.
On March 4th, Congress passed $8.3 billion in emergency funds to provide funding for prevention, preparedness, and response efforts; for the development of treatments and a vaccine; and for low-interest SBA loans to support small businesses that have been affected.
On March 18th, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. This legislation works to address the economic impacts being felt by Americans; it ensures that testing for coronavirus is free, provides for emergency paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave, ensures the availability of unemployment insurance, and secures access to nutrition for children, seniors, and low-income families.
On March 27th, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide further economic assistance to families facing lost income and industry sectors whose employees are bearing the brunt of this public health crisis. Work is continuing on additional legislation to respond to this pandemic.
On May 15th, House Democrats passed the Heroes Act to honor frontline workers by providing critical funding to state, local, and tribal governments; establishing hazard pay for frontline workers; expanding testing, treatment, and tracing; and providing additional financial relief to Americans.
Click here to view a report on how these bills are providing relief to the American people. In addition, committees are continuing to work remotely during this crisis by holding virtual hearings, briefings, and forums on the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Click here to learn more.
On March 4th, Congress passed $8.3 billion in emergency funds to provide funding for prevention, preparedness, and response efforts; for the development of treatments and a vaccine; and for low-interest SBA loans to support small businesses that have been affected.
On March 18th, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. This legislation works to address the economic impacts being felt by Americans; it ensures that testing for coronavirus is free, provides for emergency paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave, ensures the availability of unemployment insurance, and secures access to nutrition for children, seniors, and low-income families.
On March 27th, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide further economic assistance to families facing lost income and industry sectors whose employees are bearing the brunt of this public health crisis. Work is continuing on additional legislation to respond to this pandemic.
On May 15th, House Democrats passed the Heroes Act to honor frontline workers by providing critical funding to state, local, and tribal governments; establishing hazard pay for frontline workers; expanding testing, treatment, and tracing; and providing additional financial relief to Americans.
Click here to view a report on how these bills are providing relief to the American people. In addition, committees are continuing to work remotely during this crisis by holding virtual hearings, briefings, and forums on the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Click here to learn more.
Related
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) unveiled a new website sharing information with the public about the work being performed by House Committees to address the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) again held his weekly meeting of House Committee Chairs over videoconference this afternoon.
It is unthinkable that President Trump would shut down the main task force established to coordinate our nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic while we are still in the midst of figuring out the health and economic implications of this pandemic. It is a shameful abdication of responsibility.
On substance, the proposal made by Leader McCarthy, Ranking Member Cole, and Ranking Member Davis falls woefully short of reopening the House for legislative business. Their proposal only covers hearings, and even then wouldn’t enable fully-remote proceedings.
The coronavirus outbreak has upended the routines of every American, forcing us to rethink how we live, work, and interact with one another. Ever resilient, our communities are adapting in innovative ways to ‘flatten the curve,’ save lives, and protect the livelihoods of our neighbors impacted by economic disruption.
“It is unacceptable that the White House has blocked Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying before the House Appropriations Committee while allowing him to testify before the Senate.
WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) sent a letter this evening to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House, Philip Kiko, and the Attending Physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, asking them to share the guidance they have been developing on how to safely reopen the Capitol complex as soon as they can.
With another 3.8 million Americans filing for unemployment insurance last week, bringing the six week total to nearly one in five working Americans, it is clear that Congress must do more to help those harmed by the economic impacts of our fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Today's meeting was an important step to show that videoconferencing technologies can work for Congress to conduct our business remotely during this unprecedented time," said Hoyer. "The meeting ran smoothly, the Chairs were able to share their updates and ask questions, and it was an effective way to have a constructive conversation.
The steep contraction in our economy in the first quarter of 2020 is alarming but not unexpected. We know this is only the leading edge of the downturn, and economic growth, unemployment, and poverty in the second quarter will be much worse.