WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-5) voted today on a bipartisan, bicameral agreement for the $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus response funding package.

“We urgently need a coordinated, fully-funded, whole-of-government response to keep us safe from the widening coronavirus epidemic. Through this funding, we commit to making sure we are putting a robust plan in place and everyone has access to treatments,” said Congresswoman Hayes.  “This legislation also allows seniors to access telemedicine services for coronavirus treatment and ensures Connecticut and its local governments are reimbursed for costs incurred while assisting the federal response. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to keep Americans safe and healthy. I thank all of my colleagues for demonstrating bipartisan leadership on this critical public health crises.”

The emergency supplemental provides $8.3 billion in entirely new funding to combat the coronavirus epidemic.

It includes:

  • More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
  • $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
  • Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
  • $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
  • $1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home; and
  • Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency.
  • Provides $300 million so the government can purchase vaccines at a fair and reasonable price.

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Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year.

Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.