House Democrats' Package Advances Aid for First Responders and States

Washington, DC — Today, Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives introduced the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or the HEROES Act, a COVID-19 relief package following up on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March. In addition to critical relief for states, tribal governments, first responders and hospitals, the $3 trillion proposal provides $1.5 billion to aid low-income households with water bills, a moratorium on utility shut-offs and critical funding for voting by mail. However, the package fails to include critical guardrails, such as those outlined in the recently introduced ReWIND Act, that would ensure the Trump administration cannot divert relief funding to bail out corporate polluters, or much-needed support for the clean energy industry.

In response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce released the following statement: 

“While Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are prioritizing polluters over people, we’re glad to see House Democrats are advancing needed relief for state and local governments and first responders. However, these relief funds are critical to ensuring the wellbeing of our most vulnerable communities, and Congress must include language that guarantees that they cannot be diverted for a bailout of the fossil fuel industry. 

“The Trump administration and Congressional Republicans have made it clear that their first priority is to protect the bottom line of polluting industries at all costs, and so a final package must include guardrails that protect against any additional handouts to fossil fuel executives. We urge the House to make those changes and for both chambers to pass this legislation immediately, so that Congress can get to work on finalizing a stimulus package that boosts the economy and supports workers and families, not corporate polluters.”