The House of Representatives will vote today on HR6800, Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act or the HEROES Act.

Bill summary:

This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.

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; and
• 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, and

• pension and retirement plans.

Read the full bill. 

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