Malinowski, Bipartisan House Members Host Forum on COVID-19 Relief Priorities for Small Towns

A bipartisan group of six lawmakers heard testimony from representatives from the National Association of Counties and National League of Cities on the need for direct stabilization funds for local governments.

(Washington, DC) – Today, Representative Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) joined a bipartisan group of House members for a virtual hearing on the funding needs of local governments. Because the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, limited localities able to receive direct support to those with populations of over 500,000, many smaller localities are buckling under the immense costs and lost revenue associated with the COVID-19 response. Today’s discussion was an opportunity for lawmakers to highlight the necessity for direct stabilization funds and raise awareness for the issue with Congressional leadership. Watch Representative Malinowski’s opening remarks here.

The forum was convened by Representatives Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Joe Neguse (D-CO), the four leaders of the Coronavirus Community Relief Act, new legislation to provide $250 billion in stabilization funds for local communities, cities and towns across the United States that are struggling amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Reps. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), a cosponsor of the bill, and Rodney Davis (R-IL) also participated in the discussion.

Last week Representative Malinowski organized a letter signed by a bipartisan group of 54 Mayors and County Freeholders from across New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District urging Congressional leadership to provide desperately needed funding for local governments, regardless of population size, in the next coronavirus emergency relief package. Read the letter here. 

“We’re not at this hearing talking about the kind of issue that usually divides Republicans and Democrats,” Rep. Malinowski said. “All of us agree that local government in America has to continue to function and all of us want to see local government weather this storm. We have to come together and help each other. Just as we have for small businesses, we have to save small town America.”