Congressman Thornberry votes in favor of Coronavirus (COVID-19) supplemental spending package

WASHINGTON- Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) voted today for the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.

As of March 4, 2020,the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 80 cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the U.S., with 9 fatalities.Last week, President Trump requested new funds from Congress to address the spread COVID-19. Congress has reached a bipartisan deal to pass a supplemental appropriations package that will provide funding for state and local response effortsthat have already been taken. In addition, the funds will provide resources for federal health agencies to assist in responding to the disease going forward.

What provisions are included within this measure?

In total, $7.8 billion is being provided to fund the U.S. government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including:

• Over $4 billionto expand the number ofdiagnostic tests available, vaccine research and production, and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) quality control procedures for medical products developed overseas, andprevent drug shortages
• $300 millionto purchasetests, vaccines, and therapiesfor those who cannot otherwise afford them
• $2.2 billionwill be provided to the CDC, of that:
  • $950 millionto be used toassist with state and local response efforts
  • $300 millionfor CDC’s Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund
• $836 millionto the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases torespond to domestic and international cases of COVID-19