Trump signs $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus spending package

The money will help fund authorities already fighting to contain the outbreak and others as they gear up to protect themselves from it.

For states already battling more advanced outbreaks, like California and Washington, the funds should serve as much needed relief. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said Thursday night her state will receive $11.5 million in funding to help the Washington State Department of Health respond to the crisis. Eleven deaths from COVID-19 occurred in the state. The money will go to supporting public lab testing, isolation and quarantine costs, sanitization of public areas and tracking the virus, she said. 

“I can tell you we need these funds. We need them now,” Cantwell said in a statement.

The bill will also pay states through grant funding, some of which will be based on a population-based CDC formula.

The bill also includes more than $3 billion in vaccine research

For the federal government, though, much work remains ahead as counts of the illness rack up and it continues to spread throughout the country. As of Friday morning, at least 233 U.S. cases have been confirmed, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The CDC and state health officials have counted 14 deaths.

A slew of legislative issues remain for Congress, including addressing whether workers without paid time off can stay at home and how to handle U.S. companies’ reliance on foreign manufacturing.

By Friday morning, legislators were already introducing new legislation. 

Sen. Patty Murray D-Wash., and Rep. Rosa DeLauro D-Conn., introduced emergency paid sick days legislation requiring all employers to allow workers to accrue seven days of paid sick leave and an additional 14 days available immediately in the event of any public health emergency.

There was also a discussion on the Hill that further investment may yet be needed.

“House Democrats will continue to prioritize public health,” said Rep. Nita Lowey D-NY. “If the coronavirus spreads further, we will not hesitate to augment this funding with additional resources.”

— CNBC’s Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/06/trump-signs-8point3-billion-emergency-coronavirus-spending-package.html