Allred Votes Again for COVID Relief in Updated Heroes Act, Urges Bipartisan Negotiations to Continue

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) today voted to pass an updated version of the Heroes Act. This bill provides more aid to small businesses, assistance for airline industry workers and expands unemployment benefits.

"North Texans need Congress to deliver economic relief, and support our local governments and public health systems -- and I've been working every day to do just that," said Allred. "The House passed the original Heroes Act months ago, and now as negotiations continue, we've again passed necessary relief to support our small businesses, help our airline workers, expand unemployment benefits and dramatically ramp up testing. I urge Congressional leaders and this Administration to stay at the table until they reach a bipartisan deal that can be signed into law."

In addition to Allred-supported provisions that help restaurants, venues, small businesses and airline workers, the updated Heroes Act includes Allred's Aid and Attendance Support Act. The measure will increase by 25% the amount paid to disabled veterans to assist with their daily activities to help cover new COVID-19 related expenses for 60 days, including purchasing personal protective equipment for veterans and their caregivers.

Additionally, the updated Heroes Act:

• Supports testing, tracing and treatment, through $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures, with special attention to the disparities facing communities of color, ensuring every American can access free coronavirus treatment, and supporting hospitals and providers. The updated bill also includes $28 billion for procurement, distribution and education campaigns for a safe and effective vaccine.
• Honors our heroes, through $436 billion to provide one year's worth of assistance to state, local, territorial and tribal governments who desperately need funds to pay vital workers like first responders and health workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs.
• Restores unemployment benefits, ensuring weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January and preventing unemployed workers from exhausting their eligibility, providing a vital safety net for the record number of Americans who are unemployed, including those connected to the gig-economy.
• Provides additional direct payments, cushioning the economic blow of the coronavirus crisis with a more robust second round of economic impact payments of $1,200 per taxpayer and $500 per dependent.
• Provides strong support for small businesses, by improving the Paycheck Protection Program to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits, providing hard-hit businesses with second loans, and delivering targeted assistance for the struggling restaurant industry and independent live venue operators.
• Provides additional assistance for airline industry workers, extending the highly successful Payroll Support Program to keep airline industry workers paid.
• Provides more funds to bolster education and child care, with $225 billion for education – including $182 billion for K-12 schools and nearly $39 billion for postsecondary education – and $57 billion to support child care for families.

See the summary of the legislation from the Appropriations Committee here.