Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) was chosen to preside over the floor debate in the U.S. House of Representatives over the COVID-19 funding package. 

Following months of contention the historic debate will provide coronavirus relief to millions of Americans and an omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2021. The resolution will prevent an unnecessary and irresponsible shutdown by providing funding to continue the operations of the federal government through September 30, 2021. 

“We can now move our nation forward and finally get a lifeline to so many hurting Americans who are desperate for relief,” stated Jackson Lee. “My thoughts and prayers are with the over three-hundred thousand families who have lost loved ones and the tens of thousands who are sick, and the many others who will struggle with the effects of COVID-19 over the coming days, weeks, and months.”

The package comes as the number of lives lost to COVID-19 passes 315,000. The U.S. has 4% of the world’s population but 25% of its coronavirus cases. The nation leads the world in the number of active cases and total death count. 

An eviction crisis looms over the nation. If conditions do not change, 30-40 million Americans could face eviction. The housing crisis will disproportionately affect people of color who constitute approximately 80% of people facing evictions. 

“COVID-19 has caused a severe impact on our families and our economy and we must do everything possible to ensure all who are negatively impacted receive assistance,” Jackson Lee commented. “This crucial COVID-19 relief funding package and Omnibus Appropriations Act will provide desperate Americans who are in dire need of help, long overdue relief in the form of an extra $300 per week in jobless benefits, direct payments of $600 for individuals, $330 billion for small business loans, more than $80 billion for schools, and billions for vaccine distribution.  We must continue to be vigilant with social distancing, wearing masks, and test, testing, testing.”