The Democrat controlled US House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act today which appropriates about $3 trillion in stimulus and a cornucopia of other sundry payments in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The YES vote was 208 to 199 NO votes.

Among other things, the bill

• Provides FY2020 emergency supplemental appropriations to federal agencies
• Provides payments and other assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments
• Provides additional direct payments of up to $1,200 per individual
• Expands paid sick days, family and medical leave, unemployment compensation, nutrition and food assistance programs, housing assistance, and payments to farmers
• Modifies and expands the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans and grants to small businesses and nonprofit organizations
• Establishes a fund to award grants for employers to provide pandemic premium pay for essential workers
• Expands several tax credits and deductions
• Provides funding and establishes requirements for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing
• Eliminates cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatments
• Extends and expands the moratorium on certain evictions and foreclosures
• Requires employers to develop and implement infectious disease exposure control plans

The bill also modifies or expands a wide range of other programs and policies, including those regarding

• Medicare and Medicaid
• Health insurance
• Broadband service
• Medical product supplies
• Immigration
• Student loans and financial aid
• The federal workforce
• Prisons
• Veterans benefits
• Consumer protection requirements
• The U.S. Postal Service
• Federal elections
• Aviation and railroad workers
• Pension and retirement plans

Members of the Oregon Delegation voting YES, were
Blumenauer (D)
Bonamici (D)
DeFazio (D)

Members of the Oregon Delegation voting NO, were
Schrader (D)
Walden (R)


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-05-16 14:38:10

Last Update: 2020-05-17 14:38:42