Rep. Johnson Supports Heroes Act, Releases New Details on Benefits for Georgia and Local Communities & Counties

Congressman: Bold Legislation to Address the Coronavirus Health and Economic Crisis; Means More than $1B for Fourth District

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced his support of The Heroes Act, bold legislation to address the coronavirus health and economic crisis.

It's House Democrats' latest legislation to address the continued public health crisis and provide desperately needed support for struggling families and essential workers, with funds for testing and tracing measures, key support for frontline workers and strengthened assistance for the American people. Rep. Johnson also released a new detailed estimate of the direct benefits that the Heroes Act would provide to Georgia and local communities, including the Fourth Congressional District.

"I support federal aid to help state and local governments cover revenue shortfalls caused by the coronavirus economic disruption," said Johnson, who is returning to Washington to vote on the measure. "Such assistance protects the jobs of public safety employees, teachers, transit workers and other essential employees who provide vital services that people depend on."

This unprecedented crisis that has resulted in more than 80,000 deaths, more than 1.3 million confirmed cases and more than 33 million initial unemployment claims in the past seven weeks. Johnson and House Democrats unveiled transformative, far-reaching legislation that will protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people and the life of our democracy – this legislation will:

• Commit another $75 billion for the testing, tracing and treatment we need in order to have a science-based path to safely reopen our country and helping ensure that every American can access free coronavirus treatment.

• Provide strong support for our heroes with nearly $1 trillion for state, local, territorial and tribal governments on the frontlines who desperately need funds to pay the health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs. The Heroes Act will also establish a $200 billion Heroes' fund to ensure that essential workers receive hazard pay.

• Put money in the pockets of workers with a second round of direct payments to families up to $6,000 per household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs and extending weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January.

• Support small businesses by strengthening the Payroll Protection Program to ensure that it reaches underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types and responds flexibly to small businesses by providing $10 billion for Covid-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

• Ensure further support for Americans, including for:

o health security - with COBRA subsidies and a special enrollment period in the ACA exchanges for those without insurance

o workplace security – requiring OSHA to ensure that all workplaces develop science-based infection control plans and preventing employers from retaliating against workers who report problems.

o housing security – with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments and other housing-related costs.

o food security – with a 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.

• Protect the life of our democracy with new resources to ensure safe elections, an accurate Census, and preserve the Postal Service.

For Georgia's Fourth District, The Heroes Act would mean a nearly $1 billion investment in 2020 and 2021 in counties, cities and towns within the Fourth District to help workers, families and small businesses get through the pandemic.

Estimated allocations for GA-04 under the Heroes Act

2020 2021