2020: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The Heroes Act To Appropriate An
Additional $3 Trillion In Coronavirus Recovery Funds. In May 2020,
Fitzpatrick voted against the Heroes Act that would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of the bill, as amended, that would
provide roughly $3 trillion in funding to further address the health
and economic effects of COVID-19, including almost $1 trillion for
direct aid to state and local governments; $200 billion for a fund to
provide hazard pay for essential workers; $75 billion for a national
testing program; and funding for state and federal response related to
health care, education, housing, and food supply. It would extend
federal funding of expanded unemployment compensation benefits through
January 2021 and provide an additional round of tax rebates of $1,200
for individuals with incomes of $75,000 or less. The bill would provide
$540 billion for states, territories, and tribal governments and $375
billion for local governments to address costs and economic impacts
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 208-199. [House Vote 109,
5/15/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/15/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.6800]
The $3 Trillion Aid Package Included Dozens Of Democratic
Priorities, Causing The White House To Issue A Veto Threat.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "Speaker Nancy Pelosi muscled
a $3 trillion aid package through the House late Friday, overcoming
defections from her party's moderate wing who would have preferred
to vote for a bipartisan measure [...] The bill includes dozens of
key Democratic priorities and has elicited sharp criticism from
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who on Thursday called the
1,815-page package a 'liberal wish list.' The White House issued a
veto threat on the measure." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
Moderate Democrats Voted Against The Bill Citing Issues With The
Partisan Nature Of The Bill. Among the Democrats who announced in
advance they'd vote against the package were [...] Joe Cunningham
[...] All are moderates in GOP-leaning districts. 'I think it's
something that should have had more broad bipartisan support," said
Cunningham. He argued that aid legislation 'needs to be more
narrowly focused on the people who are suffering as a result of the
pandemic.'" [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
Progressive Caucus Co-Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal Voted Against The
Bill, Stating That It Didn't Go Far Enough To Help Workers And
Businesses. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Congressional
Progressive Caucus co-chairwoman Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., was the
sole member of the party's more liberal wing to vote against the
bill. She told reporters the measure didn't go far enough to help
workers and businesses. 'At the end of the day, what I'm talking
about is protecting the economy and protecting people from dying,
because businesses and workers feel too much pressure to go back to
work too quickly because they don't have money,' said Jayapal."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
The Bill Included $1 Trillion In Aid To Local And State
Governments. According to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill
includes nearly $1 trillion in aid to local and state governments,
which are facing steep budget shortfalls following a drop off in
income tax revenue due to skyrocketing unemployment, as well as a
reduction in sales tax revenue after businesses mostly shut down due
to stay-at-home orders." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
The Bill Provided $435 Billion In A Second Round Of Direct
Payments To Households. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
bill would provide $435 billion, according to the Joint Committee
on Taxation, to send out more direct payments to households and fill
in gaps from the previous round, estimated in March to cost $294
billion. Families with adult children who are full-time students up
to age 24 could now receive $500 from the previous round, which had
cut off age at 17; the age limit would be raised for the new round
as well, and up to three children per household would be eligible
for the full $1,200 amount allotted to adults. It would also make
individuals with a taxpayer identification number eligible for
payments, even if they don't have a Social Security number. Critics
said that would open the door to undocumented immigrants getting
payments, and Republicans were nearly successful on a procedural
vote to strip that provision." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
The Bill Provided $200 Billion In Grants For Employers To
Increase Pay For Essential Workers. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The legislation would also establish a nearly $200
billion grant program for employers to provide a pay increase for
'essential workers,' such as first responders and employees at
hospitals, grocery stores and meat processing plants."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
The Bill Extended Expanded Unemployment Insurance Benefits Despite
Republican Opposition. According to Congressional Quarterly, "And
expanded unemployment insurance benefits worth an extra $600 per
week on top of regular state allotments would be extended from
August through the end of January, and through March if regular
state eligibility hadn't been used up yet. Many Republicans oppose
the higher weekly benefit because in many states it would pay
unemployed workers more than they made before they were laid off,
which they say will cripple firm's ability to reopen once lockdowns
are lifted." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
A Bipartisan Measure Increased The Employee Retention Tax Credit
For Employers To Cover Employees Wages. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "One bipartisan proposal would beef up a tax credit in
the March law to cover up to $5,000 of wages for employers
experiencing sharp revenue declines. The House Democrats' bill
would expand that provision to cover up to $36,000 of wages, as
well as making employer health benefit expenses eligible, in line
with recent Treasury guidance. The JCT said the so-called 'employee
retention credit' expansion would cost $164 billion over a decade."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
The Bill Included A Measure Eliminating The SALT Tax Cap, A
Long-Sought After Democratic Provision. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Another costly tax provision doesn't enjoy the same
bipartisan support, however: eliminating the $10,000 cap on state
and local tax deductions for this year and next, at a $137 billion
cost. Republicans have mostly spent the last few days blasting the
'SALT' cap removal as a sop to richer households in blue states that
has nothing to do with pandemic relief." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/15/20]
The HEROES Act Provided $25 Billion In Emergency Funding To The
Postal Service. According to the Federal News Network, "The
spending bill would give the Postal Service $25 billion in
emergency funding that would last through September 2022 [...] The
bill would also modify language in the $2 trillion CARES Act that
would streamline the Postal Services' ability to borrow $10 billion
in an expanded line of credit from the Treasury Department."
[Federal News Network,
5/13/20]
CBPP: The COVID-19 Pandemic Caused State Funds To Dramatically
Decrease, And The Heroes Act Would Provide $500 Billion To States
and $40 Million To Tribes And Territories. According to the
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), "States depend
primarily on sales and income tax revenues to fund schools, health
care, and other services. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused these
revenues to collapse, since businesses are closed and many people
have been laid off. Further, the economic crisis is expected to last
long after the health crisis ends [...] As a result, states face
massive budget shortfalls of about $765 billion for the current
fiscal year (which ends June 30 in most states) and the next two.
Even after subtracting flexible federal aid provided so far and the
entire amount in state rainy day funds, states still face shortfalls
of about $600 billion. Further, these shortfall estimates do not
include increased state costs due to the pandemic, such as increased
costs for public hospitals, first responders, domestic abuse
agencies, mental health departments, and others [...] Under the
Heroes Act, states would receive $500 billion; another $20 billion
would go to tribes and another $20 billion to the territories."
[CBPP,
5/20/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For An $8.3 Billion Emergency Funding Bill To
Combat The Spread Of Coronavirus. In March 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for
a bill that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide $7.8
billion in supplemental fiscal 2020 appropriations to federal
departments and agencies for activities to prevent, prepare and respond
to the threat of COVID-19 domestically and abroad, including $6.5
billion for the Health and Human Services Department. Within the total
amount, it would provide $3.1 billion for the HHS Public Health and
Social Services Emergency Fund, including for the development and
purchase of vaccines and other medical supplies, with an additional
$300 million available for the purchase of medical supplies, if
necessary. It would provide $2.2 billion for the Centers For Disease
Control and Prevention, including $950 million for state and local
preparedness grants and $300 million for global response activities. It
would provide $986 million for U.S. Agency for International
Development bilateral economic assistance related to coronavirus
response, including through contributions to international
organizations. It would also provide $836 million for the National
Institute of Health, $264 million for State Department diplomatic
programs, $61 million for the Food and Drug Administration, and $20
million for the Small Business Administration disaster loan program, for
expenses related to coronavirus response. The bill would also authorize
the Health and Human Services Department to temporarily waive or modify
certain Medicare reimbursement rules for in-home health care, to provide
for coverage of telehealth services for individuals in a declared
emergency area. Such waivers would increase mandatory federal spending
for Medicare by approximately $490 million through fiscal 2022." The
vote was on passage. The House approved the bill by a vote of 415-2.
[House Vote 86, 3/4/20;
Congressional Quarterly, 3/4/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.6074]
The Emergency Coronavirus Spending Bill Provides $7.76 Billion To
Federal Agencies And $500 Million In Medicare Waivers. According
to The Hill, "The bill provides $7.76 billion to agencies combating
the coronavirus, It also authorizes another $500 million in waivers
for Medicare telehealth restrictions, bringing the total figure
greenlighted under the bill up to $8.3 billion." [The Hill,
3/5/20]
The Trump Administration Originally Requested Only $2.25 Billion
To Combat Coronavirus, Far Below What Was Awarded In The Final
Bill. According to The Hill, "The Trump administration sent its
emergency request to Congress on Feb. 24, less than two weeks ago.
The initial $2.5 billion amount, only half of which would have been
new funding, was criticized by Democrats and some Republicans as
being too low." [The Hill,
3/5/20]
Republicans Rejected A Democratic Push To Ensure Vaccines And
Treatments Developed By Private Companies Be Priced Affordably.
According to The Hill, "Democrats had pushed for language in the
bill that would require any coronavirus vaccines or treatments
developed by private companies with federal funding to be priced
affordably. But Republicans had argued that could discourage drug
companies from investing in potential cures and vaccines. A source
told the Hill that there was also discussion at a leadership level
about ensuring Medicare would fully cover copay for a vaccine, but
the idea was rejected by Republicans." [The Hill,
3/5/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The $3.5 Billion Families First
Coronavirus Response Act. In March 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the
Families First Coronavirus Response Act that would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "appropriate approximately $3.5 billion in
supplemental funding and authorize additional funding to support the
federal response to the spread and economic effects of COVID-19,
including for paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, diagnostic
testing, and nutritional assistance. Among other provisions, the bill
would require health plans to cover diagnostic tests for COVID-19 and
provide $1 billion for the Health and Human Services Department to
reimburse laboratories for testing of uninsured individuals [...] It
would provide $1 billion for Labor Dept emergency grants to states
related to unemployment insurance and provide full federal funding for
extended unemployment insurance in states with an unemployment rate
increase of 10% or more. It would provide $1.3 billion for Agriculture
and Health and Human Services Department nutrition assistance programs,
including for family nutrition programs, grants to U.S. territories, and
services for low-income and elderly individuals. It would provide for
temporary emergency procedures to provide nutrition assistance for
participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and to
students affected by school closures. It would require employers with
fewer than 500 employees and government employers to grant an additional
80 hours of paid sick leave for individuals affected by the coronavirus,
including to care for dependents due to illness or school closures
[...] It would also require such employers to provide 12 weeks of
job-protected family or medical leave for affected employees during a
public health emergency related to COVID-19 and to provide paid leave
after 14 days, at a rate of at least two-thirds an employee's regular
rate of pay. It would provide tax credits for employers equal to the
full amount of sick leave wages paid in any calendar quarter, capped at
$511 per day for each employee who is ill, quarantined, or seeking
treatment, or $200 per day for each employee who is caring for a family
member. It would provide tax credits for employers equal to the full
amount of family leave wages paid in any calendar quarter, capped at
$200 per day and $10,000 per quarter for each employee. It would also
provide for paid leave wage tax credits for self-employed individuals."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 363-40.
The bill ultimately became law. [House Vote 102,
3/14/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/14/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.6201]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,
Which Provided $195.3 Billion To States, $130.2 Billion To Localities,
And $10 Billion To Support Capital Projects Like Broadband Access. In
March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against concurring in the Senate amendment
to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "provide direct assistance of $195.3 billion
for states and $130.2 billion for local governments, as well as $10
billion for grants to states to support capital projects, such as
broadband access." The vote was on concurring in the Senate amendment to
the bill. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 220-211 and
sent to the President and ultimately the bill became law. [House Vote
72, 3/10/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/10/21; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
1319]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,
Which Granted Over $92 Billion To Health And Human Services For COVID
Testing And Contact Tracing, Vaccine Development And Distribution,
Public Health Workforce Expansion, Community Health Centers, Health
Programs For Native Americans, And Block Grant Programs For Substance
Abuse And Mental Health. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against
concurring in the Senate amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act of
2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide over
$92 billion for the Health and Human Services Department, including
$47.8 billion for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing; $7.5 billion
for vaccine administration and distribution; $6.1 billion for vaccine
and therapeutic development, manufacturing and procurement; $7.6
billion to expand the public health workforce; $7.6 billion for
community health centers; $6.1 billion for Native American health
programs; and $3 billion for substance abuse and mental health block
grant programs." The vote was on concurring in the Senate amendment to
the bill. The House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 220-211 and
sent to the President and ultimately the bill became law. [House Vote
72, 3/10/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/10/21; Congressional Actions,
H.R.
1319]
The American Rescue Plan Reserved Billions Of Dollars For COVID
Testing, Contract Tracing And Vaccine Distribution, Which Would Seek
To Fulfill The Biden Administration's Goal To Develop Sufficient
Vaccinations For All Americans By The End Of May 2021. According
to The Washington Post, "Lawmakers also set aside tens of billions
of dollars to fund coronavirus testing, contact tracing and vaccine
deployment, as they aim to deliver on Biden's recent promise to
produce enough inoculations for 'every adult in America' by the end
of May." [The Washington Post,
3/10/21]
The American Rescue Plan Reserved $7.5 Billion For The Centers
For Disease Control And Prevention To Track And Distribute The COVID
Vaccines. According to NPR, "The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention is set to receive $7.5 billion to track, administer and
distribute COVID-19 vaccines." [NPR,
3/11/21]
The American Rescue Plan Reserved $46 Billion For COVID Diagnosis
And Tracing And $2 Billion For Testing Supplies And Personal
Protective Equipment. According to NPR, "Another $46 billion will
go toward diagnosing and tracing coronavirus infections, and $2
billion will go toward buying and distributing various testing
supplies and personal protective equipment." [NPR,
3/11/21]
The American Rescue Plan Provided States An Additional 10% Of
Funds For Home And Community Based Services Through March 2022.
According to Health Law, "States will also get increased funding for
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) through March 2022. States
would receive an additional 10% of federal funding for HCBS
services." [Health Law,
3/12/21]
The American Rescue Plan Would Provided 85% Coverage Of Costs
Associated With Mobile Crisis Response Teams, Which Support People
Undergoing Episodes By Preventing Law Enforcement Intervention.
According to Health Law, "ARP also provides federal coverage of 85%
of the costs for mobile crisis response teams. These teams help
reduce harms to people undergoing acute episodes by avoiding
encounters with undertrained law enforcement, and can free the
police to prioritize other activities." [Health Law,
3/12/21]
The American Rescue Plan Provided "Additional Funding To Community
Health Centers And Indian Health And Native Hawaiian Health
Providers." According to Health Law, "The ARP also includes
additional health provisions such as additional funding for
community health centers and certain Indian Health and native
Hawaiian health providers." [Health Law,
3/12/21]
The American Rescue Plan Of 2021 Did Not Include The Hyde
Amendment And Instead Provided The Greatest Expansion Of
Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Since Obamacare. According to a Roll Call
op-ed by Marjorie Dannenfelser, "Earlier this year, President Joe
Biden followed through on a major campaign promise to the abortion
lobby --- and broke with decadeslong bipartisan consensus --- by
signing a massive stimulus bill without pro-life Hyde Amendment
protections. In the guise of COVID-19 relief, the so-called American
Rescue Plan was the largest expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion
since Obamacare. Now with the administration's budget proposal
expected this week, a slew of life-saving policies modeled after
Hyde could also be on the chopping block." [Marjorie Dannenfelser
Op-Ed − Roll Call,
5/25/21]
The American Rescue Plan Of 2021 Included Additional Funding For
The Title X Family Planning Program. According to a press release
from NARAL, "Today, President Biden signed into law the American
Rescue Plan Act, the sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief
package to address the healthcare and economic crises caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation will help expand access to
healthcare and provide additional funding for the Title X family
planning program. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the
bill earlier today following the Senate's passage over the weekend."
[Press Release -- NARAL,
3/11/21]
2021: Senate Republicans Failed To Add The Hyde Amendment Into The
American Rescue Plan Act. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Lankford, R-Okla., motion to waive all applicable sections of the
Congressional Budget Act with respect to the Murray, D-Wash., point
of order that the Lankford amendment no. 1031 to the Schumer,
D-N.Y., substitute amendment no. 891 to the bill is not germane and
thus violates section 313(b)(1)(d) of the Congressional Budget Act.
The amendment would make conforming changes to insert the bill's
provisions related to public health programs and domestic violence
prevention and support programs into the December 2020 omnibus
appropriations and coronavirus relief law, which would prohibit the
use of funds for abortion services." The vote was on a motion to
waive. The Senate failed to acquire a 3/5 majority and rejected the
motion by a vote of 52-47. [Senate Vote 94,
3/6/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/6/21; Congressional
Actions, S.Amdt.
1031;
Congressional Actions, S.Amdt.
891;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1319]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,
Which Provided $50 Billion To FEMA, $14.5 Billion For Health Care
Services To Veterans, $10 Billion For Emergency Medical Supply
Production, $8.7 Billion For COVID Response Efforts Abroad, And $200
Billion For Worker Protection Activities. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick
voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"provide $50 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency
disaster relief fund; $14.5 billion for veterans' health care
services; $10 billion for emergency medical supply production under the
Defense Production Act; $8.7 billion for COVID-19 health response
efforts overseas; and $200 million for Labor Department worker
protection activities, including at least half for the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration." The vote was on concurring in the
Senate amendment to the bill. The House concurred with the Senate by a
vote of 220-211 and sent to the President and ultimately the bill became
law. [House Vote 72,
3/10/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/10/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1319]
The American Rescue Plan Allocated $30 Billion For Transit Costs,
$8 Billion For Airports, $3 Billion For A Temporary Payroll
Program To Help The Aerospace Manufacturing Industry, And $1.5
Billion For Furloughed Amtrak Employees Due To The Pandemic.
According to NPR, "To support the transportation sector, the
legislation allocates nearly $30 billion for transit costs,
including payroll and personal protective equipment; $8 billion for
airports; $3 billion for a temporary payroll support program to
help support the aerospace manufacturing industry; and $1.5 billion
to recall and pay Amtrak employees who were furloughed because of
the pandemic and to restore various daily routes." [NPR,
3/11/21]
The American Rescue Plan Allocated $15 Billion To Aid Airline
Industry Workers. According to NPR, "Another $15 billion will
also be allocated to support workers in the airline industry."
[NPR,
3/11/21]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2021 Omnibus Appropriations And
Coronavirus Relief, Which Authorized $73 Billion To Health And Human
Services To Address The COVID-19 Pandemic, Including For Vaccine
Distribution And Substance Abuse And Mental Health Programs. In
December 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the second portion of the FY2021
Omnibus Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief package which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide approximately $73
billion for Health and Human Services COVID-19 pandemic response,
including $19.7 billion for the procurement of vaccines and
therapeutics and $4.25 billion for substance abuse and mental health
programs." The vote was on concurring in Senate amendment with portion
of the amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 359-53 and
sent to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 251,
12/21/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/21/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
133]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2021 Omnibus Appropriations And
Coronavirus Relief, Which Provided Assistance For Rent, Nutrition,
Agriculture And Food Production, And Transportation. In December 2020,
Fitzpatrick voted for the second portion of the FY2021 Omnibus
Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief package which would provide,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "$25 billion for rental
assistance; $13 billion for nutrition assistance; $13 billion in
agriculture and food production industry assistance; and $45 billion
for transportation assistance." The vote was on concurring in Senate
amendment with portion of the amendment. The House agreed to the motion
by a vote of 359-53 and sent to the President and ultimately became law.
[House Vote 251,
12/21/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/21/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
133]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted Against A $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Aid
Package. In October 2020, Fitzpatrick voted against a coronavirus
relief package that would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"provide roughly $2.2 trillion in funding to further address the health
and economic effects of COVID-19, including approximately $436 billion
for direct aid to state and local governments; $120 billion for
assistance to restaurants; $75 billion for a national testing program;
$28.3 billion for an extended airline industry payroll support program;
and funding for state and federal response related to health care,
education, housing, and food supply. It would reinstate federal funding
of expanded unemployment compensation benefits through January 2021,
provide an additional round of tax rebates of $1,200 for individuals
with incomes of $75,000 or less, and extend the Paycheck Protection
Program. The bill would provide $257 billion for states, territories,
and tribal governments and $179 billion for local governments to
address costs and economic impacts associated with the COVID-19
pandemic." The vote was on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to
the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 214-207. [House Vote
214, 10/1/20;
Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20; Congressional
Actions,
H.R.925]
House Democrats Passed The Bill Largely As A "Symbolic Expression"
Of Their Frustration With Stalled Talks On Another Coronavirus Aid
Package. According to Congressional Quarterly, "House Democrats
passed their own revised version of a coronavirus aid package
Thursday, in a largely symbolic expression of frustration with
protracted talks on a bipartisan compromise. On a party-line vote of
2014-207, the House sent to the Senate a $2.2 trillion package that
Republicans have lambasted as a costly 'liberal wish list.' No House
GOP lawmaker voted for it." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]
The Trump Administration Package Offered $1.5 Trillion, And The
Senate Republicans' Proposal Provided Only $640 Billion.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The Trump administration has
offered about $1.5 trillion [...] Senate Republicans want to
spend even less: They chafed even at a $1 trillion package over the
summer before backing a bill with just $650 billion in relief ---
more than half of it offset." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]
The House Democrat Relief Package Included Another Round Of
$1,200 Tax Rebates, Expanded Unemployment Benefits, And Funding For
Schools, Health Care, And State And Local Governments. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "The Democratic bill provide another
round of $1,200-per-adult tax rebates, expanded unemployment
benefits, and more money for schools, health care and state and
local governments, among other things [...] Democrats also pumped
some additional money into new priorities since their May
legislation. Chief among them is a $120 billion fund for the
pandemic-battered restaurant industry, along with $28 billion for
the airline industry." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]
Senate Republicans Are Opposed To Spending Significant Funds On
Another Aid Package. According to the Wall Street Journal, "In
reaching a deal, House Democrats and the Trump administration also
face another obstacle: Senate Republicans opposed to again doling
out money for a major aid package. Many Republicans in the Senate
see the economy recovering without additional aid injections and are
wary of further deficit spending. After a $1 trillion plan from GOP
leaders didn't draw broad support in their party, last month, Senate
Republicans put together a 'skinny' proposal to try to unify their
ranks. That bill, which called for $300 billion in new funds and
repurposing $350 billion in other funds, failed in the Senate when
Democrats blocked it." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/1/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Paycheck Protection Program And Health
Care Enhancement Act, Congress's Fourth Coronavirus Response Bill, Which
Provided An Additional $75 Billion In Funding For Hospitals. In April
2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the Paycheck Protection Program and Health
Care Enhancement Act as part of Congress's response to the Coronavirus
pandemic that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "provide $75
billion for the Health and Human Services Department public health and
social services emergency fund to reimburse health care providers for
expenses and lost revenue related to COVID-19." The vote was on a motion
to concur. The House passed the bill by a vote of 388-5 and the bill was
then signed into law by the President. [House Vote 104,
4/23/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/23/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.266]
The CARES Act Provided $100 Billion For Hospitals, But Health
Care Providers Said Much More Was Needed. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "This funding is meant to ensure that
health care providers receive the support they need for
COVID-19-related expenses and to compensate for lost revenue as
non-essential and elective procedures are cancelled. The CARES Act
enacted in late March [...] provided an initial $100 billion for
this purpose, and hospitals and medical groups have said much more
will be needed. (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in
early April distributed an initial tranche of $30 billion to
hospitals and other providers, based on their Medicare
fee-for-service revenue. That distribution, however, excluded
certain hospitals and provided reduced amounts to hospitals that
serve large numbers of Medicaid beneficiaries, those with large
numbers of Medicare Advantage patients, and those that have high
rates of uncompensated care." [Congressional Quarterly,
4/22/20]
The Bill Excluded Two Provisions Backed By Health Advocates That
Would Ensure Public Hospitals Are Eligible For Small Business Loans
And Reduce Interest Ratse In Medicare's Advantage Payment Loan
Program. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The funding falls
short of the $318 billion the American Medical Group Association
requested in a letter Tuesday to help medical providers cover
losses. A survey by the association found that 60 percent of
independent doctor group estimate they will deplete their financial
reserves in two months, while one-third are providing uncompensated
care for area hospitals. The bill does not appear to include two
provisions rural and safety-net advocates were pushing --- a
clarification ensuring public hospitals are eligible for the
small-business loans, and a reduction of a 10 percent interest rate
in Medicare's advance payment loan program [...] Providers ---
including the Federation of American Hospitals, which represents
for-profit institutions --- are lobbying for the change."
[Congressional Quarterly,
4/21/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Providing Funding For Housing
Assistance Grants And Programs In Response To The COVID-19 Pandemic.
In June 2020, Fitzpatrick voted against the Emergency Housing
Protections and Relief Act that would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "authorize a number of housing assistance grants and programs
in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It would authorize $100 billion
for Housing and Urban Development Department emergency housing
assistance grants to support state and local rental assistance programs
for individuals at risk of homelessness. It would authorize $75 billion
for a Treasury Department homeowner assistance fund to support state
housing finance agency assistance to help homeowners avoid mortgage
defaults, foreclosures and loss of utility services. It would prohibit
all tenant evictions through March 2021, prohibit all foreclosures for
six months after enactment and allow any homeowner facing financial
hardship to request mortgage forbearance. It would also require the
Federal Reserve to establish a program to provide low-cost loans to
residential rental property owners. The bill would authorize over $24
billion for a number of HUD housing and homelessness assistance programs
[...] It would also authorize $309 million for Agriculture Department
rural rental assistance." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 232-180. [House Vote 128,
6/29/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/29/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.7301]
The Bill Was Introduced As The U.S. Approached What Experts Deemed
A Housing Crisis Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic. According to CNBC,
"As the U.S. approaches what housing experts have deemed a housing
crisis, the House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday that
would provide emergency financial relief for tenants and homeowners
to keep people housed throughout the coronavirus pandemic [...]
About 30% of renters have little to no confidence that they can make
their next housing payment, according to the latest U.S. Census
Bureau Household Pulse Survey. To rectify that, housing experts at
the National Low Income Housing Coalition and elsewhere have called
for emergency rental assistance and rent cancellation during the
pandemic." [CNBC,
6/30/20]
Republicans Opposed The Bill, Believing It Rewarded High-Cost
Metropolitan Areas For Past Mistakes. According to CNBC,
"Republicans voted against the housing relief bill. Rep. Bill
Huizenga (R-Mich.) called the bill a 'Democratic grab bag wish list
of policy goals.' 'The fact is that in far too many large, high-cost
metropolitan areas, local decisions and regulations have made the
cost of housing in those area[s] too high for many hardworking
families,' Huizenga said. 'We Should not be rewarding these
high-cost cities for decades of self-made mistakes with more
taxpayer dollars." [CNBC,
6/30/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Paycheck Protection Program And Health
Care Enhancement Act, Congress's Fourth Coronavirus Response Bill. In
April 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the Paycheck Protection Program and
Health Care Enhancement Act as part of Congress's response to the
Coronavirus pandemic that would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"provide $483.4 billion in additional funding for Small Business
Administration programs, assistance to hospitals, and testing related to
COVID-19. It would provide an additional $310 billion for Paycheck
Protection Program loans under the Small Business Administration,
including $60 billion for lending by smaller financial institutions and
those serving underbanked communities. The program provides forgivable
loans of up to $10 million for businesses with 500 or fewer employees,
including for payroll costs, mortgage payments, and rent or utility
payments [...] It would provide $75 billion for the Health and Human
Services Department public health and social services emergency fund to
reimburse health care providers for expenses and lost revenue related to
COVID-19. It would provide $25 billion to the fund for expenses
associated with developing and administering COVID-19 tests, including
$11 billion for state and local governments to manufacture, provide,
and analyze such tests." The vote was on a motion to concur. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 388-5 and the bill was then signed into law
by the President. [House Vote 104,
4/23/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/23/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.266]
Republicans Opposed Measures To Provide Direct Funding To States
And Increase Food Aid Despite Efforts By Democrats. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Governors and city county officials wanted
the bill to include funding to help address budget shortfalls they
face as tax revenues drop off a cliff and spending increases
sharply. There's no additional direct aid in the latest package,
although Schumer said the White House has committed to more funding
[...] The bill also doesn't include additional food aid. Democrats
originally requested this 'interim' bill include a 15 percent
increase to the maximum monthly benefit received by people on the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Republicans were
opposed." [Congressional Quarterly, in the next aid package.
4/21/20]
CBPP: Republicans' Refusal To Provide State Aid "Will Almost
Certainly Lead Many States To Cut Education And Other Critical
Services, Including Even Health Care, And To Lay Off Teachers."
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP),
"While providing needed support to small businesses and hospitals,
the new COVID-19 package announced today falls short even as an
interim measure, failing to deliver crucial state and local fiscal
relief and food assistance. The White House's refusal to provide
more relief to states --- whose revenues are plummeting due to the
virus' effect on economic activity --- will almost certainly lead
many states to cut education and other critical services, including
even health care, and to lay off teachers and other workers as
states struggle to balance their budgets [...] The approaching
state budget cuts [...] will cause the U.S. economy to contract
further --- making the economic downturn deeper and more protracted,
causing many more people to lose their jobs [...] Despite efforts
from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer, however, additional aid was blocked from inclusion in the
new package." [CPBB,
4/21/20]
CPBB: Republicans Also Blocked Additional Funding For SNAP, Which
Is "Among The Most Effective Simulative Steps The Federal Government
Can Take In A Recession, On A Bang-For-The-Buck Basis." According
to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), "Similarly
disappointing is the White House's and congressional Republicans'
refusal to include in the new package an increase in the maximum
SNAP (food stamp) benefit, as was done in the last recession. This
measure, too, would both alleviate hardship and benefit the economy.
Both the Congressional Budget Office and Moody's Analytics rank this
measure among the most effective simulative steps the federal
government can take in a recession, on a bang-for-the-buck basis."
[CBPP,
4/21/20]
Democrats Called The Bill And Interim Measure For A Bill That
Would Provide More Direct Payments To Individuals And Extended
Unemployment Benefits. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Top
Democrats are calling the small-business and health care package
moving through Congress this week an 'interim' measure to serve as a
bridge to a larger bill that could be considered next month. The
next bill could include another round of direct payments to
households as well as an extension of new jobless benefits provided
in the roughly $2 trillion aid package enacted last month."
[Congressional Quarterly,
4/21/20]
Some Republicans Criticized The Bill's Price Tag. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The bill didn't get unanimous support for
Senate Republicans, however. Critics cited the impact on the
national debt as well as the closed-door negotiations that produced
the compromise. 'No amount of money, not all the money in China will
save us from ourselves,' said Rand Paul, R-Ky. 'Our Only hope of
rescuing this great country is by reopening the economy.'"
[Congressional Quarterly,
4/21/20]
Republicans Refused To Pass The Measure Unanimously Or By Voice
Vote, Forcing Members Of Congress To Travel To Washington For A
Recorded Vote. According to The Hill, "GOP leaders, nudged by
their conservative flank, rejected the notion of passing the measure
either unanimously or by voice vote --- two procedural options that
would have precluded the need for lawmakers to return to Washington
amid lingering concerns over public travel. Instead, Republicans
insisted on staging a recorded vote, which required lawmakers to
cast their ballots physically on the chamber floor --- and forced
Democratic leaders to adopt some extraordinary steps to ensure that
members conformed to the social distancing guidelines established by
public health officials." [The Hill,
4/23/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Establishing A Select Subcommittee On
The Coronavirus Crisis As A Part Of The House Oversight And Reform
Committee. In April 2020, Fitzpatrick voted against a resolution that
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "establish the Select
Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis as a part of the House Oversight
and Reform Committee, to be composed of no more than 12 representatives,
with no more than five appointed by the minority leader. H Res 935 would
authorize and direct the subcommittee to conduct a 'full and complete
investigation' into the coronavirus crisis and federal response to the
crisis, including on the use of taxpayer funds by federal, state and
private entities; reports of waste, fraud or other abusive practices;
implementation and effectiveness of federal law; economic impacts;
executive branch policies, actions and cooperation with Congress and
others; and preparedness for response to the crisis. It would also
provide the subcommittee chair with subpoena and deposition authorities,
and it would provide $2 million from House accounts to the Oversight
and Reform Committee for expenses in the 116th Congress. The
subcommittee would cease to exist 30 days after issuing a final report
to Congress." The vote was on adoption of a rule that would provide for
automatic agreement to a resolution. The House agreed to the resolution
by a vote of 212-182. [House Vote 103,
4/23/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 4/23/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.Res.935]
The Panel Was Created To Review The Efficiency, Effectiveness, And
Equity Of Funds Provided In The Various Coronavirus Relief
Packages. According to The Hill, "The select panel, which will
[be] established as an investigative subcommittee of the House
Oversight and Reform Committee, will be charged with reviewing the
'efficiency, effectiveness, equity and transparency' of how relief
funds are allocated; disparate impacts of the coronavirus on
different communities based on demographics such as race, age and
geographic region; and the Trump administration's deliberations and
communications related to the crisis." [The Hill,
4/23/20]
Congressional Republicans Opposed The Bill, Claiming It Was A
Political Move To Make President Trump Look Bad. According to The
Hill, "Republicans dismissed the panel as unnecessary, pointing to
the existing House committees with jurisdiction over the coronavirus
pandemic like the full Oversight committee and the Ways and Means,
Financial Services, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce
committees [...] GOP lawmakers also argued the select committee
was an attempt to find ways to make the president look bad ahead of
the November election [...] But Democrats maintained that a crisis
of the pandemic's magnitude --- and the trillions of dollars already
spent to boost the government's response --- warranted a special
oversight arm." [The Hill,
4/23/20]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,
Which Provided Direct Payments Of $1,400 To People With Incomes Under
$75,000 And $1,400 For Each Dependent. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick
voted against concurring in the Senate amendment to the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"provide an additional tax rebate of $1,400 for individuals with
incomes of $75,000 or less, increased by $1,400 for each dependent."
The vote was on concurring in the Senate amendment to the bill. The
House concurred with the Senate by a vote of 220-211 and sent to the
President and ultimately the bill became law. [House Vote 72,
3/10/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/10/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1319]
Under The American Rescue Plan, Individuals With An Income Less
Than $75,000 And Couples With A Joint Income Less Than $150,000
Received Tax Rebates Of $1,400 Per Person. According to NPR,
"Individuals earning up to $75,000 and couples earning up to
$150,000 will receive the full direct payments of $1,400 per
person." [NPR,
3/11/21]
Under The Legislation, Individuals Collected An Additional $1,400
Per Each Claimed Dependent. According to NPR, "Individuals will
also receive an additional $1,400 payment for each dependent
claimed on their tax returns." [NPR,
3/11/21]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2021 Omnibus Appropriations And
Coronavirus Relief, Which Provided Eligible Americans With Direct
Payments Of $600. In December 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the second
portion of the FY2021 Omnibus Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief
package which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "extend
through March 14, 2021, federal unemployment compensation benefits of up
to $300 per week and provide an additional round of tax rebates of
$600 for individuals with incomes of $75,000 or less, increased by
$600 for each dependent child." The vote was on concurring in Senate
amendment with portion of the amendment. The House agreed to the motion
by a vote of 359-53 and sent to the President and ultimately became law.
[House Vote 251,
12/21/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/21/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
133]
While The CARES Act From Spring 2020 Provided Americans With
$1,200 In Pandemic Relief, The Coronavirus Relief Package In The
Omnibus Appropriation Halved The Payments To $600. According to
CBS News, "The $600 checks are half as generous as the $1,200
payments distributed under the CARES Act in the spring. Americans
who made less than $75,000 in 2019 are eligible for the full $600,
with the payments tapering off for those who made up to $100,000."
[CBS News,
12/22/20]
The Coronavirus Relief Package Included $600 Payments To Eligible
Americans, Enhanced Federal Unemployment Benefits Of $300 Per Week
Until March 14, 2021, Included $284 Billion In Loans To The
Paycheck Protection Program To Aid Struggling Businesses, And
Extended The Eviction Moratorium Until January 31, 2021. According
To CBS News, "The aid package included $600 in direct payments to
most Americans, $300 per week in enhanced federal unemployment
benefits until March 14, and more than $284 billion in loans for
businesses through the popular Paycheck Protection Program. The
relief measure also extends the moratorium on evictions until
January 31." [CBS News,
12/22/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Paycheck Protection Program And Health
Care Enhancement Act, Congress's Fourth Coronavirus Response Bill, Which
Provided An Additional $25 Billion In Funding For Testing. In April
2020, Fitzpatrick voted for the Paycheck Protection Program and Health
Care Enhancement Act as part of Congress's response to the Coronavirus
pandemic that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "It would
provide $25 billion to the fund for expenses associated with developing
and administering COVID-19 tests, including $11 billion for state and
local governments to manufacture, provide, and analyze such tests." The
vote was on a motion to concur. The House passed the bill by a vote of
388-5 and the bill was then signed into law by the President. [House
Vote 104, 4/23/20;
Congressional Quarterly,
4/23/20; Congressional Actions,
H.R.266]
Health Experts Said That Expanded Testing Is Critical For The U.S.
To Reopen The Economy. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Health experts say that for states to responsibly lift business
restrictions and 'reopen' the U.S. economy, it is critical to test
the population to understand the extent of infections so infected
individuals can be isolated and those with whom they interacted can
be traced. Such information also is needed to give the public
confidence it can safely return to work and resume other activities
[...] Such testing is needed especially for frontline workers who
may have been exposed to the virus, such as health care providers,
police and fire fighters, transit workers and grocery clerks."
[Congressional Quarterly,
4/22/20]
The Bill Provided $11 Billion To States And Localities For
Testing, Who Would Be Responsible For Front-Line Testing Of
Individuals. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Under the
measure, states and localities would be responsible for the
front-line testing of individuals, and would receive at least $11
billion of the total for testing and other activities. In addition
to testing for active virus exposure, testing must also be conducted
to identify individuals who were infected in the past and who may
now have immunity, and funds may also be used for contact tracing of
individuals who interacted with infected persons." [Congressional
Quarterly,
4/22/20]
The Bill Ensured That All States And Tribal Organizations Receive
Funding And Provided Additional Funding For States Relative To The
Number Of COVID-19 Cases. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Of the total provided to states, $4.25 billion would be provided
based on the relative numbers of COVID-19 cases, and $2 billion
would be provided according to the existing Public Health Emergency
Preparedness formula, which would ensure that every state receives
funding. Separately, $750 million of the total would be provided to
tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian health organizations
in coordination with the Indian Health Service. Prior to receiving
funds, states and localities must present plans to HHS within 30
days of enactment on how the money will be used for testing, and how
test results will guide the easing of community mitigation policies
such as social distancing and business closures." [Congressional
Quarterly,
4/22/20]
Funding Provided In The Bill For The Federal Government Was For
Research And Development, National Surveillance And Epidemiology,
And National Reporting. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
federal government generally would be responsible for research and
development of more advanced testing and for ensuring the
availability of tests and supplies, for national surveillance and
epidemiology, and for national reporting on positive diagnoses,
hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, and for developing a
national strategic testing plan. In general, funds could be used for
the development, manufacture, procurement and distribution of tests,
equipment and supplies, including personal protective equipment for
health care workers who administer tests; for development and
validation of tests and for epidemiology; for workforce support; for
the scaling up of academic, commercial, public health and hospital
laboratories; and for the development of testing plans."
[Congressional Quarterly,
4/22/20]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against The American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021,
Which Extended Unemployment Payments Of $300 Per Week Through September
6, 2021. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against concurring in the
Senate amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "extend federal unemployment
compensation benefits of $300 per week through Sep. 6, 2021." The vote
was on concurring in the Senate amendment to the bill. The House
concurred with the Senate by a vote of 220-211 and sent to the President
and ultimately the bill became law. [House Vote 72,
3/10/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/10/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1319]
The American Rescue Plan Extended The Enhanced Unemployment
Payments With An Extra $300 A Week Until Early September 2021 And
Recipients Would Be Able To Receive A Tax Break On Those Payments.
According to The Washington Post, "Millions of Americans who were
set to lose unemployment benefits in a matter of days now will
received continued, enhanced federal payments of an extra $300 each
week until early September. Many workers who collect unemployment
also are set to receive a tax break on those benefits." [The
Washington Post,
3/10/21]
Despite Efforts To Raise Unemployment Payments To $400, The
American Rescue Plan Kept Payments At $300 Per Week Through
September 6, 2021, And The First $10,200 In Unemployment
Compensation Were Nontaxable For Incomes Less Than $150,000.
According to NPR, "Under the Senate version that Biden signed,
federal unemployment insurance payments will remain at $300 per
week --- down from $400 per week in the earlier package passed by
the House. The benefits will extend through Sept. 6. The Senate's
bill makes the first $10,200 in unemployment payments nontaxable
for households with incomes under $150,000." [NPR,
3/11/21]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The FY 2021 Omnibus Appropriations And
Coronavirus Relief, Which Extended Unemployment Benefits Through March
14, 2021 With Payments Up To $300 Per Week. In December 2020,
Fitzpatrick voted for the second portion of the FY2021 Omnibus
Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief package which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "extend through March 14, 2021, federal
unemployment compensation benefits of up to $300 per week and provide
an additional round of tax rebates of $600 for individuals with incomes
of $75,000 or less, increased by $600 for each dependent child." The
vote was on concurring in Senate amendment with portion of the
amendment. The House agreed to the motion by a vote of 359-53 and sent
to the President and ultimately became law. [House Vote 251,
12/21/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/21/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
133]