González asks the federal chamber to vote on awarding a millionaire to distribute vaccines

Today, the 56-member Caucus of Problem Solvers in the federal House of Representatives called for an immediate vote on the $ 160 billion “Defeat COVID-19” vaccine distribution package as the bipartisan talks and reconciliation process continue. The plan was formally endorsed by the Caucus.

The distribution package for the ‘Defeat COVID-19’ vaccine would allocate new federal investment funds for the distribution and national administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as support for extensive testing programs, the purchase of protective equipment (PPE) and other important initiatives to defeat this deadly virus.

The package shares similarities with the vaccine portion of the “Direct Response to the COVID Pandemic” portion of President Biden’s US bailout and ongoing negotiations. If negotiations on other parts of a new COVID-19 aid package take longer, either through a bipartisan agreement or a reconciliation, this separate $ 160 billion investment would immediately help deploy and test vaccines across the country.

More specific details on the “Defeat COVID-19” package that would allocate a total of $ 160 billion can be found below:
• $ 20 billion for the National Vaccine Program in partnership with states, tribes and territories;
• $ 50 billion for a massive test expansion;
• $ 30 billion for the emergency relief fund;
• $ 5 billion for Title III of the Defense Production Act;
• $ 5 billion for personal protective equipment for first responders, independent medical offices and dentists;
• $ 15 billion to rebuild and replenish the National Strategic Reserve;
• $ 35 billion for relief fund, of which 20% is reserved for rural hospitals.

The Congressman Jenniffer González Colón He said that “COVID-19 has affected the lives of many and has had a significant impact on our country’s economy. We must ensure that we continue to provide resources such as testing and vaccines to our communities to control and ultimately end this pandemic. I wholeheartedly support the majority of the Caucus for the vaccine distribution package. “

“The COVID-19 emergency relief package that the Problem Solvers Caucus negotiated with last December was a down payment for what our country needed. Unless a new bipartisan agreement is reached, I will continue to support the reconciliation process for further relief from COVID-19. I believe we need to allocate additional resources for direct controls to families and additional unemployment, investments for state and local governments and schools, broadband and childcare. With that said, I think we need to immediately address the need to boost vaccine distribution and testing in New Jersey and across the country without delay. We just can’t afford to wait weeks and weeks for more vaccines to become available, ”he said. Josh Gottheimer, Caucus co-chair.

“We continue to support the ongoing bipartisan talks for a specific stimulus package. Regardless of whether the stimulus travels along the path of duality or reconciliation, it is unfortunately clear that both paths will take time, ”he said. Tom Reed, Caucus co-chair.

“We just don’t have time to spare when Americans’ lives are at stake, as new variants of the virus are emerging daily. To protect the lives of our fellow citizens, we must come together and act now to support vaccines. By rapidly increasing federal funding for testing, vaccine distribution, and other important initiatives, we can receive more injections, safely reopen our economy, and ultimately beat this virus. Congress and the Biden administration must work together to immediately pass this vaccine booster package and put the health and safety of the American people first, ”he added. Reed.

“State and local health departments must have the resources they need to rapidly deploy vaccines in our communities. As we move forward with a comprehensive aid package, Congress must immediately pass independent, bipartisan legislation targeting vaccine manufacturing and distribution, ”said Caucus co-vice president. Abigail Spanberger. “There is no time to delay the meeting at this point, and the Problem Solvers Caucus is poised to play a major role in the federal effort to save lives, increase vaccine stocks, build our economic recovery. and to prevent vulnerable communities from being left behind “

“The American people depend on us to come together and take action for vaccine distribution,” said the Caucus co-vice president. Brian Fitzpatrick. “While I continue to fully support the bipartisan efforts for further COVID assistance, we simply cannot afford to wait any longer to get vaccines into the arms of our citizens. Our $ 160 billion bipartisan, bicameral package.” Immediately boost the deployment of vaccines, expand testing programs and the purchase of personal protective equipment, and other important initiatives that are critical to fighting this virus to safely reopen our economy across the country. “

“We are going through one of the worst public health emergencies and economic recessions in US history,” he said. Dean Phillips, co-vice president. Last year, the Problem Solvers Caucus showed the nation that thoughtful Democrats and Republicans can come together to provide two-pronged solutions. We can and will continue that work, but the COVID-19 virus will not wait for us to commit. A well-funded and better-coordinated federal vaccine distribution program will save lives and livelihoods if we act now. This is a crisis and we must urgently face this moment as the most comprehensive package moves through Congress and reaches the president’s office. “

De Caucus Co-Vice Chairman, Jaime Herrera BeutlerHe said: “Our focus must be to allow our economy to recover safely and to get people back to work, and that means prioritizing the delivery of vaccines to our communities. That is exactly what this legislation will do. This does not replace our need for additional bipartisan COVID-19 relief legislation, but this bipartisan package of problem solvers would ensure that we boost immunity as we negotiate and complete other relief efforts. “

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