Lujan Statement on Emergency Funding for Coronavirus Response

Statement

U.S. House Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the House passage of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act - legislation to fully fund a robust national response to coronavirus:

"Yesterday, in response to the coronavirus emergency, the House acted to responsibly manage this crisis by passing an $8.3 billion emergency appropriations package that provides vitally-needed resources for our communities. This funding will help our government meet its responsibilities to keep Americans healthy and safe.

"With lives at stake, the president must act quickly so we can deliver funds to the state and local public health agencies on the front lines protecting our communities."

The legislation includes:

More than $3 billion to develop vaccines, with protections to ensure that treatments created using taxpayer funds will be made available to the public at an affordable cost.
Nearly $1 billion to support state, local, and tribal governments in preparedness and response--including reimbursement for costs they have already incurred
$500 million to purchase protective equipment and medical supplies for communities with shortages.

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