WASHINGTON– Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) issued the following statement after voting in support of, H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, an emergency funding bill to respond to the coronavirus outbreak:

“Ensuring the health and safety of the American people is one of Congress’ top responsibilities. While the risk to many Americans remains low, it is important that we ensure our health professionals and local communities are fully equipped to combat the coronavirus outbreak. That’s why I joined 414 of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in voting for a bipartisan emergency funding bill to help our nation respond to this disease.

“I want to commend the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee for working with my colleagues and I to produce a clean funding bill that allows us to put forward an aggressive response to this disease. Pathogens don’t care about party lines or partisanship and I was glad to see Congress come together and show the American people that stopping the spread of the coronavirus is a priority for all of us.” 

Highlights of the funding included in H.R. 6074 to combat the spread of COVID-19 include:

• More than $4 billion to make diagnostic tests more broadly available; to support treatments to ease the symptoms of those infected with the virus; and to invest in vaccine development and to procure vaccines when they are available. Funds are also made available for the Food and Drug Administration to protect the integrity of medical products manufactured overseas and identify and prevent potential shortages.
• $2.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a robust response, including:
  • Nearly $1 billion exclusively for state and local response e?orts; and
  • $300 million for CDC’s Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund to prevent, prepare for, and respond to diseases – keeping our nation prepared and positioned for any health threat.

Last Congress, Dave voted for the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018 (PAHPAIA).This comprehensive bill, which the President signed into law in 2019, accomplished the following:

• helped ensure our health care professionals are trained to respond to possible pandemic outbreaks;
• prioritized the further development of our national stockpile of vaccines, medical equipment and diagnostics; and
• established new advisory groups focused on protecting vulnerable populations such as senior citizens and people with disabilities during public health threats and emergencies.

You can stay up to date with the latest developments on efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus and tips for staying healthy here. 

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