Today, the 56 members of the Federal House of Representatives Troubleshooters Caucus called for an immediate vote on the $ 160 billion “Defeating COVID-19” vaccine distribution package, while bipartisan talks continue and the process of reconciliation. The plan was formally supported by the Caucus.
The “Defeating COVID-19” vaccine distribution package would allocate new federal investment funds for the national distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as support for expanded testing programs, purchases of protective equipment (PPE) and other key initiatives to defeat this deadly virus.
The package shares similarities with the vaccine part of President Biden’s “Direct Response to the VOCID Pandemic” part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and ongoing negotiations. If negotiations on other parts of a new COVID-19 aid package take longer, either through a bipartisan agreement or reconciliation, this separate $ 160 billion investment would immediately help drive deployment and vaccine testing nationwide.
Below you can find more specific details about the “Defeating the COVID-19” package that would allocate a total of $ 160 billion:
• $ 20 billion for the National Vaccine Program in partnership with states, tribes and territories;
• $ 50 billion for a massive expansion of testing;
• $ 30 billion for disaster relief fund;
• $ 5 billion for Title III of the Defense Production Act;
• $ 5 billion in PPE for lifeguards, independent medical offices and dentists;
• $ 15 billion for the reconstruction and supply of the national strategic reserve;
• $ 35 billion for the aid fund for providers with 20% reserved for rural hospitals.
the congresswoman Jenniffer González Colom He said that “COVID-19 has affected the lives of many and has significantly impacted our nation’s economy. We must ensure we continue to provide resources such as testing and vaccines to our communities to contain and eventually end to this pandemic. I strongly support the Caucus majority vote for the vaccine distribution package. “
“The COVID-19 emergency aid package that the Troubleshooters Caucus helped negotiate last December was a down payment of what our nation needed. Unless a new bipartisan agreement is reached, I will continue. supporting the reconciliation process to get more relief from COVID-19. I think we need to allocate additional resources for direct checks to families and extra unemployment, investment for state and local government and schools, broadband and childcare That said, I think we should address immediately, without delay, the need to boost vaccine distribution and testing in New Jersey and across the country. We just can’t afford to wait weeks and weeks because more vaccines come out, ”he said Josh Gottheimer, co-chair of the Caucus.
“We continue to support ongoing bipartisan talks for a specific stimulus package. Unfortunately, regardless of whether the stimulus goes the way of bipartisanship or reconciliation, it is clear that either path will take time,” he said. to say Tom Reed, co-chair of the Caucus.
“We just don’t have time to spare when the lives of Americans are at stake as new virus variants emerge daily. For the sake of protecting the lives of our fellow citizens, we must unite and act now in support of vaccines. By rapidly increasing federal funding for testing, vaccine distribution and other key initiatives, we can receive more injections, reopen our economy safely, and finally defeat this virus.Congress Congress and the Biden Administration have to work together to immediately approve this vaccine booster package and prioritize the health and safety of the American people, “he added. Reed.
“Local health departments and states must have the resources they need to rapidly implement vaccines in our communities. As we move forward with a comprehensive aid package, Congress should immediately pass independent, bipartisan legislation focused on in vaccine production and distribution, “said the Caucus co-chair, Abigail Spanberger. “There is no time to linger on meeting this moment, and the Troubleshooters Caucus is poised to play a major role in the federal effort to save lives, increase the supply of vaccines, build our recovery. and prevent vulnerable communities from falling behind “
“The American people depend on us to unite and take action on the distribution of vaccines,” said the Caucus co-president. Brian Fitzpatrick. “While I continue to fully support bipartisan efforts for greater relief from COVID, we simply cannot afford to wait any longer to put vaccines in the arms of our citizens. Our bipartisan, $ 160 billion bipartisan package” Defeating a COVID-19 “Vaccine Distribution will immediately boost vaccine deployment, expand PPE testing and purchasing programs, and other critical key initiatives to combat this virus to safely reopen our economy nationwide” .
“We are going through one of the worst public health emergencies and economic downturns in U.S. history,” he said. Dean Phillips, covicepresidente. “Last year, the Troubleshooters Caucus demonstrated to the nation that thoughtful Democrats and Republicans can unite to deliver bipartisan solutions. We can and will continue to do this work, but the COVID-19 virus will not expect us to commit. A well-funded and better coordinated federal vaccine distribution program will save lives and livelihoods if we act now.This is a crisis and we need to address the moment urgently as the most comprehensive package moves through Congress and reaches the ‘president’s desk’.
The co-president of the Caucus, Jaume Herrera BeutlerHe said: “Our focus should be on getting our economy back on track safely and getting people back to work, and that means prioritizing the delivery of vaccines to our communities. That’s exactly what this will do. This does not replace our need for additional bipartisan COVID-19 aid legislation, but this bipartisan package of troubleshooters would ensure that we are increasing immunity as we negotiate and finalize other aid efforts. “
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