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Congressman Krishnamoorthi Hails House Passage Of HEROES Act Stimulus Package

May 16, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi hailed House passage of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solution (HEROES) Act, which would provide critical funding and resources to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The HEROES Act, which now heads to the Senate, includes a number of provisions that Congressman Krishnamoorthi pushed for including increased funding for state and local governments, provisions for expanded mental health resources, support for state service commissions, and improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program.

"I'm proud to have played a role in helping to shape this legislation which could make such a difference for so many families and businesses," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. "The HEROES Act has the potential to provide much-needed funding to state service commissions and state and local governments facing revenue shortfalls as a result of this this pandemic, as well as funding for research into healthcare workers' mental health, and important improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program. I hope the Senate will soon take up this urgently-needed legislation."

The provisions in the HEROES Act that Congressman Krishnamoorthi advocated for include:

  • $500 billion in funding to assist state governments and $375 billion in funding to assist local governments,
  • A directive to the NIH's National Institute of Mental Health to support research on the mental health consequences of this pandemic on health care providers,
  • The establishment of a technical assistance center to support public or nonprofit entities and public health professionals seeking to establish or expand access to mental health and substance use services associated with this pandemic,
  • A directive to the Corporation for National and Community Service to examine new and existing programs, partnerships, organizations and grantees that could be utilized to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic including the capacity and ability of State Commissions to respond to the needs of state and local governments in each state or territory in which such State Commission is in operation
  • The extension of the coverage period for the Paycheck Protection Program from June 30 to December 31st and increased flexibility for small business owners in using the funds