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WASHINGTON—Congressman Paul D. Tonko voted today to advance H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, out of the House of Representatives. The supplemental package provides $8.3 billion to fund a nationwide response to combat the coronavirus.

“Countless lives depend on an immediate and substantial response by the federal government to stop the spread of coronavirus,” Congressman Tonko said. “The sheer scope and severity of this virus demands a coordinated and comprehensive course of action that gives municipalities across the country the resources needed to protect our communities. The House emergency supplemental addresses this crisis and prioritizes the health and safety of the American people. I urge the Senate and President to move quickly to enact this bill into law so we can begin getting funds out the door. Lives are on the line.”

Among other critical provisions, H.R. 6074 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 and 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;
• $435 million to support health systems overseas to prevent, prepare, and respond to the coronavirus;
• $300 million to respond to humanitarian needs; and
• $1 billion in loan subsidies to be made available to small businesses impacted by the virus, enabling the Small Business Administration to provide $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected businesses.

The full text of the coronavirus supplemental is available here.

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