Underwood Supports the House Passage of Updated Coronavirus Relief Package to Support Illinois Families and Communities | Representative Lauren Underwood
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Underwood Supports the House Passage of Updated Coronavirus Relief Package to Support Illinois Families and Communities

October 5, 2020

The updated Heroes Act maintains Underwood’s priorities to safeguard U.S. elections, support coronavirus testing, tracing, and treatments, and bolster education and child care

Includes Underwood provision to eliminate copays and cost sharing for veterans receiving qualifying coronavirus preventive services

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) supported the passage of the latest relief package to provide relief to Illinois families and communities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The revised Heroes Act maintains Underwood's priorities to safeguard U.S. elections, support coronavirus testing, tracing, and treatments, and bolster education and child care. The legislation included provisions championed by Underwood to eliminate copays and cost sharing for veterans receiving qualifying coronavirus preventive services, including an eventual vaccine. In May, Underwood strongly supported the House passage of the Heroes Act (H.R. 6800).

"Northern Illinois families, workers, small businesses, and communities need relief right now—inaction by Congress is not an option. House Democrats are following the science, listening to hurting communities, and acting," said Underwood. "Included in this essential package is my legislation to make sure our veterans are protected by ensuring they can access coronavirus preventative services without financial barriers. The Senate must follow and give Americans the relief they desperately need."

A fact sheet on the updated legislation can be found here.

The updated Heroes Act includes:

  • Supports testing, tracing and treatment, through $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures, with special attention to the disparities facing communities of color, ensuring every American can access free coronavirus treatment and supporting hospitals and providers. The updated bill also includes $28 billion for procurement, distribution and education campaigns for a safe and effective vaccine.
  • Strong support for small businesses, by improving the Paycheck Protection Program to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits, providing hard-hit businesses with second loans, and delivering targeted assistance for the struggling restaurant industry and independent live venue operators.
  • Increased resources to bolster education and child care, with $225 billion for education – including $182 billion for K-12 schools and nearly $39 billion for postsecondary education – and $57 billion to support child care for families.
  • Honors our heroes, through $436 billion to provide one year's worth of assistance to state, local, territorial and tribal governments who desperately need funds to pay vital workers like first responders and health workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs.
  • Provides additional direct payments, cushioning the economic blow of the coronavirus crisis with a more robust second round of economic impact payments of $1,200 per taxpayer and $500 per dependent.
  • Safeguards our democracy, with new resources to ensure safe elections, an accurate Census, and preserve the Postal Service.
  • Supports our veterans, by eliminating copayments and cost sharing for veterans and receiving qualifying coronavirus preventive services.

The updated Heroes Act is the sixth piece of comprehensive legislation Underwood has strongly supported to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. This includes the Heroes Act, which passed the House on May 15; the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, enacted on April 24; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted on March 27; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted on March 18; and the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act enacted on March 6.

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