March 04, 2020

Reschenthaler Votes to Provide Funding to Combat the Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) voted for the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 6074), which provides $7.8 billion in emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak. H.R. 6074 passed the House by a vote of 415 to 2, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

"I support this bill because it's important that our federal, state, and local governments have the resources they need to combat the coronavirus," said Reschenthaler. "This legislation will expedite vaccine development, make diagnostic testing more readily available, allow for the purchase of equipment and supplies, and assist state and local health departments in dealing with the outbreak on the ground.

"Since learning of the outbreak, President Trump has worked to ensure our nation is prepared, and I am grateful that today Congress was able to put politics aside to ensure our nation is prepared for a disease outbreak. We must continue to work together and stay on top of this outbreak so we can keep our communities safe and healthy."

Specifically, H.R. 6074 provides more than $4 billion to make diagnostic tests available, develop medicine to treat the infected, and invest in vaccine development and procurement. A portion of these funds are also available for Food and Drug Administration efforts to protect the integrity of medical products from overseas and prevent potential shortages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will receive $2.2 billion in funding, $1 billion of which is reserved for state and local response efforts. The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development are allocated $1.25 billion, which will be used to protect Americans abroad and help prevent spread of the virus globally. Critically, H.R. 6074 provides $20 million to help small businesses impacted by the coronavirus through disaster assistance loans.

For more information on continuing developments with the coronavirus, please visit www.cdc.gov.