Norcross Votes to Pass Emergency Funds to Fight Spread of Coronavirus, Protect Americans

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted today to pass H.R. 6074, a bill that would fund an $8.3 billion emergency supplemental package to fully address the scale and seriousness of the public health threat posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“We need a fully-funded, coordinated response to keep our communities safe. That’s why I voted to approve funds to fully address this public health emergency and protect the American people,” said Congressman Norcross. “I will continue to work with federal, state and local officials to determine the best avenue forward to ensure South Jersey is prepared and residents are healthy.”

The emergency supplemental funding package provides $8.3 billion in funding to increase preparedness for communities to combat the Coronavirus outbreak. It includes:

• More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
• $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
• Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
• $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
• $1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home; and
• Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency.

The text of the coronavirus supplemental, H.R. 6074, is here. A summary of H.R. 6074 is here.

For more information on the Coronavirus, visit: www.CDC.gov/COVID19

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