Schakowsky Votes For The Heroes Act: Includes Nursing Home Provisions and Boosts Local Municipalities

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, voted in favor of The Heroes Act, House Democrats' latest legislation to address the continued public health crisis and provide desperately needed support for struggling families and essential workers, with funds for testing and tracing measures, key support for frontline workers and strengthened assistance for the American people. Congresswoman Schakowsky also released a new detailed estimate of the direct benefits that the Heroes Act would provide to Illinois and local communities. The legislation passed by a vote of 208-199.

"I voted yes on the Heroes Act to keep paying teachers, nurses, and first responders that are on state and local payrolls, and to ensure hospitals have the resources they need to treat patients and keep frontline healthcare workers safe," Congresswoman Schakowsky stated. "Our first responder frontline heroes are at risk of losing their jobs as local governments see their income dry up during this pandemic. We passed the Heroes Act to protect Illinois families and ensure all our frontline heroes can continue to get paid and have the support they need to continue to save lives and keep our communities safe and healthy."

The Heroes Act also includes provisions of Schakowsky's Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act (H.R. 6698) introduced last week and provisions of her Advancing Connectivity during the Coronavirus to Ensure Support for Seniors (ACCESS) Act (H.R. 6487) introduced last month. If enacted, the legislation will protect the health and well-being of those living and working in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

"I introduced the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 Act and the ACCESS Act to comprehensively address the critical issues facing individuals who rely on nursing homes for their lives and livelihoods during this national emergency. With key pieces from my legislation included in the Heroes Act, we take the first step to ensuring that long-term care residents and workers are adequately protected from COVID-19. The Heroes Act provides $150 million for the deployment of expert strike teams to nursing homes struggling with COVID-19 cases; mandates transparency and demographic-specific reporting of COVID-19 cases, fatalities, and other essential data; prioritizes testing for older Americans and individuals with disabilities; enhances the ability of nursing home residents to virtually connect with their loves ones, and creates new, COVID-19 only facilities with criteria that prioritize resident safety," said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "Though there are other significant provisions I would have liked included in the Heroes Act to uplift families and workers throughout the United States, I look forward to seeing the Senate pass this legislation so we can ensure a comprehensive response to the COVID-19 crisis for long-term care residents, staff, and their families."

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