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Rep. Fudge Supports Passage of HEROES Act
May 15, 2020

WASHINGTON – Today,Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) supported passage in the House of Representatives of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions, or HEROES, Act to address the continued public health crisis and provide support to struggling families and essential workers. 

Among its many provisions, the $3 trillion package includes:

  • Another $75 billion for COVID-19 testing, tracing and treatment measures;
  • Nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial and tribal governments who need funds to pay first responders, health workers, and teachers;
  • $200 billion for a Heroes’ fund for essential workers to receive hazard pay;
  • A second round of more substantial economic impact payments of $1,200 per family member, up to $6,000 per household;
  • An extension of weekly $600 unemployment benefits through next January;
  • $100 billion to support the educational needs of States, school districts, and institutions;
  • $10,000 of up-front debt relief for all Federal loan borrowers.
  • $175 billion to assist renters and homeowners with rent, mortgage and utility payments;
  • An increase in SNAP benefits by 15 percent, a boost in the minimum monthly SNAP benefit to $30, up from $16, and additional SNAP flexibilities;
  • $16.5 billion for direct payments to agricultural producers whose commodities were impacted by market disruptions due to the COVID-19;
  • $3.6 billion for state election contingency planning, as well as expand voting options;
  • $25 billion for the U.S. Postal Service for revenue loss, and protections for workers; and
  • $400 million for the 2020 Census for expenses due to COVID-19 related delays. 

“Each week as this crisis continues, people across the country are seeing their lives upended and their livelihoods disappear,” said Rep. Fudge.  “Millions of Americans continue to file for unemployment, lose their healthcare in the middle of a pandemic, and face impossible decisions about their and their families’ health and financial security.  This is not a time for inaction and delay—people need help now.

“Although not perfect, the HEROES Act goes a long way towards meeting the needs of those who need help most. With unemployment reaching highs not seen since the Great Depression, the bill provides much-needed financial support to those who fall on hard times and ensures they do not lose their access to health care, housing and food.  It shows our essential workers, first responders, teachers, students and families living on the margins that we will have their backs through this turbulent time.  And with new resources to support safe elections, ensure an accurate Census, and preserve the Postal Service, the HEROES Act protects vital aspects of our democracy.

“We must continue to address the full scale of this crisis.  Failure to do so would result in a slow, difficult and uneven recovery, especially for those who struggled to make ends meet long before this crisis hit.”

The HEROES Act also includes several provisions championed by Rep. Fudge, including:

  • The Farm to Food Bank Enhancement Act, introduced by Reps. Fudge, Jim Costa (CA-16) and Stacey Plaskett (VI-At Large) on May 8, which provides $25 million for the Farm to Food Bank program to cover the cost of harvesting, processing, packaging, and transporting products for donation to food banks.
  • Blocking finalization, implementation, and enforcement of several harmful SNAP rules.
  • Expanding Pandemic EBT to provide benefits to low-income households with children under age 5 who lost access to meals at childcare centers forced to close due to the emergency.  On March 11, Reps. Fudge and Bobby Scott (VA-3) introduced the Pandemic EBT Act, which was included in the CARES Act.
  • Investing $1 billion for financial and technical assistance to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and $2 billion for the CDFI Fund.  On May 7, Rep. Fudge sent a letter to House leadership calling for funding to be set aside for CDFIs.
  • Providing $5 billion for FCC’s E­rate Program for schools and libraries to provide internet service.  On April 20, Rep. Fudge led a letter to House leadership calling for additional funding for distance learning, including through the E-rate program.
  • Providing $1.5 billion to support paying water bills for low-income people.  On April 14, Reps. Fudge and John Katko (NY-24) led a letter to House leadership advocating for water affordability assistance in upcoming COVID-19 emergency relief packages.

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