WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the 56 member House Problem Solvers Caucus called for an immediate vote on the $160 billion “Defeating COVID-19” vaccine distribution package, as the broader bipartisan talks and reconciliation process continues. The plan was formally endorsed by the Caucus.
The “Defeating COVID-19” vaccine distribution package would allocate new federal investment funds for the national distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as support for expanded testing programs, PPE purchases, and other key initiatives to beat this deadly virus. The package shares similarities with the vaccine portion of the “Direct COVID Pandemic Response” portion of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and ongoing negotiations. Should negotiations around other portions of a new COVID-19 relief package take longer, whether that's through a bipartisan agreement or reconciliation, this separate $160 billion investment would immediately help boost vaccine deployment and testing nationwide.
More specific details on the “Defeating COVID-19” package can be found below.
“We continue to support ongoing, bipartisan talks for a targeted stimulus package. Unfortunately, regardless of whether stimulus goes the way of bipartisanship or reconciliation, it is clear either path will take time,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Tom Reed. “We simply do not have time to spare when the lives of the American people are at stake as new variants of the virus are emerging daily. For the sake of protecting the lives of our fellow Americans, we must unite and act now in support of vaccines. By quickly increasing federal funding for testing, vaccine distribution, and other key initiatives, we can get more shots in arms, safely reopen our economy, and finally defeat this virus. Congress and the Biden Administration must work together to immediately pass this vaccine-boosting package and prioritize the health and safety of the American people.”
“The emergency COVID-19 relief package that the Problem Solvers Caucus helped negotiate this past December was a down payment on what our nation needed. Unless a new bipartisan deal is struck, I will continue to support the reconciliation process for more COVID-19 relief. I believe we must allocate additional resources for direct checks to families and supplemental unemployment, investment for state and local government and schools, and broadband and child care. That said, I believe we should immediately address, without delay, the need for boosting vaccine distribution and testing in New Jersey and nationwide. We simply cannot afford to wait weeks upon weeks to get more vaccines out the door,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer.
The “Defeating COVID-19” Vaccine Distribution Package
Total - $160B
- National Vaccine Program in partnership with states, tribes, and territories: $20B
- Massive expansion of testing: $50B
- Disaster Relief Fund: $30B
- Defense Production Act Title III: $5B
- PPE for first responders, independent physicians offices, and dentists: $5B
- Rebuilding and restocking the National Strategic Stockpile: $15B
- Provider Relief Fund with 20% set aside for rural hospitals: $35B
