The U.S. House passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package (dubbed the HEROES Act) that would provide additional aid to state and local governments, a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks and hazard pay for essential frontline workers. However, the bill was panned “dead on arrival” by Senate Republicans and the President has threatened to veto the bill.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill to offer new funding for state and local governments. In addition to the $150 billion passed by Congress in March, this bill would provide $500 billion more in emergency funding. Senator Collins of Maine is among the co-sponsors. Read more here.
Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement regarding the vote by the U.S. House of Representatives approving the COVID-19 aid package known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act:
“Governors of both parties spoke with a unified voice when we asked Congress to deliver urgently needed relief to state and local governments and the citizens we serve. The HEROES Act answers the call. It provides vital support for our health care workers, teachers, firefighters, and police officers. It enhances food assistance, preserves access to affordable health care, provides protections for those who have lost their jobs, and helps safeguard our communities. I commend Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Connecticut’s House delegation for advancing this legislation. It now is critically important that Senate Republicans set aside partisanship and bring this bill up for a vote.”