Also includes up to $1.25 billion in relief for NM and $8 billion in Tribal expenses due to pandemic
WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) , a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement applauding the voice vote in the House of Representatives to pass a $2 trillion emergency COVID-19 bill to provide immediate and badly-needed relief to New Mexicans grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. The bill is expected to be signed into law by the president.
“My top priority in Congress is making sure New Mexicans have the resources they need to stay healthy and to stay financially afloat,” Udall said. “The bipartisan bill that passed the House today includes relief for New Mexico families, health care professionals and hospitals on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and small businesses that have had to close their doors through no fault of their own. In the absence of clear and direct leadership from the Trump White House during this national crisis, I fought hard in the Senate to secure a bill that puts working families and Tribal communities first. I particularly fought for resources for Tribes across the country because they are some of the most vulnerable communities to this public health crisis. This is not the first response from Congress in response to this pandemic, and it should not be the last. In close communication with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Tribes and local leaders, I will continue to fight for the resources that New Mexico needs to weather this crisis and rebuild our communities and stabilize our economy. I also want to extend my deep gratitude to the countless health care professionals, volunteers and state and local officials who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and are saving lives every day. In the weeks ahead, we must all do everything we can to support the efforts of the brave doctors, nurses and community health care workers who are putting their lives on the line to protect all New Mexicans. I encourage all New Mexicans to follow the advice of state, Tribal and federal health officials to stay safe and healthy. We will get through this crisis together.”
For more information on the $2 trillion package that passed today, click HERE .
More information on the Tribal provisions Udall helped secure in the package can be found HERE.
A comprehensive list of Udall’s legislative actions to address the COVID-19 pandemic can be found HERE.
