House approves emergency funding to combat spread of coronavirus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved a bipartisan emergency funding package to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The legislation – supported by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) – will provide state and federal agencies $8.3 billion to slow the spread of the virus in the U.S.

Among other things, the measure will provide more than $3 billion to fund the research and development of vaccines, treatments and tests; $2.2 billion to help federal, state and local agencies prepare for, prevent and respond to the virus; and nearly $1 billion for state and local governments to procure additional medical supplies, such as masks and respirators needed to protect front-line health care workers.

"What we have learned from combatting similar viruses such as this is that time is of the essence," DeGette said. "We need all hands on deck to identify those who have been infected and help curb the spread as much as possible. This emergency spending is vital to providing our state and local governments the tools and resources they will need to help us fight this virus."

DeGette, who serves as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations panel – which oversees the nation's health care industry – has been working closely with state and federal officials to ensure all appropriate agencies at every level of our government are taking steps to combat the virus.

The emergency spending bill was approved in the House by a vote of 415 – 2.

It now heads to the Senate where it is expected to be approved before the end of the week.