Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, a $8.3 billion package to prepare for and respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

“We must ensure state and local governments and public health agencies have what they need to protect their residents and communities,” said Perlmutter. “This package delivers a strong response to the coronavirus threat while we continue to closely monitor this public health crisis.”

As part of the package, $2.2 billion will help federal, state, local, and tribal governments prepare for and respond to the crisis, including $950 million given directly to state and local health agencies across the country. Aid will be distributed according to burden, with Colorado receiving a minimum of $9.3 million in emergency grants.

The package also includes:

• $3 billion for developing vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.
• $1 billion for medical supplies to support healthcare preparedness, Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity.
• $300 million for the procurement of vaccines by the Federal government at a fair and reasonable price.
• $61 million to assist in the development and review of devices, therapies and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions.
• $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses.

The Trump administration had initially requested $1.25 billion to address COVID-19. At the time of passage of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, COVID-19 had claimed 11 lives in the U.S.

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