As cases of COVID-19 continue to surge in communities across the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced Democratic leadership will begin crafting a fourth package of emergency aid for health care providers, businesses, and others.
House Democratic leaders envision a package that would expand relief measures in the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which the president signed March 27. Through a fourth legislative package, lawmakers seek to:
- provide additional economic aid to small businesses, states, local municipalities, and individuals and families;
- bolster unemployment benefits to help those who have lost their job during the pandemic;
- extend funding for community health centers; and
- increase workplace protections for health care workers and first responders.
Pelosi indicated the House could vote on the next COVID-19 supplemental legislation by the end of April. The House and Senate are out of session until the week of April 20.