Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) voted today to provide urgently needed relief to American families and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. H.R. 133, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, provides $900 billion in emergency coronavirus relief and sufficient funding to fund the federal government through Fiscal Year 2021.

"Even though we're almost a year into this pandemic, a record number of Americans continue to die each day from the COVID-19 virus while the number of unemployed workers has reached historic numbers. As we enter the holiday season and with public health experts anticipating the next few months to be the deadliest part of the pandemic, American families and small businesses need to know that help is on the way," said Rep. Bera. "While today's vote is an important step in defeating this virus and getting our economy on a path to recovery, much more assistance is needed. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and with the incoming Biden Administration, to provide additional support to Americans early next year."

The COVID-19 relief package will:

• Provide direct payment checks to Americans worth up to $600 per adult and child;
• Support small businesses with over $284 billion for first and second forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans;
• Help keep families housed with $25 billion in rental assistance and an extension of the eviction moratorium through January 30, 2021;
• Expand nutrition assistance by $13 billion through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help relieve the current hunger crisis;
• Extend increased unemployment insurance benefits for Americans out of work; and
• Accelerate the free and equitable distribution of safe COVID-19 vaccines.

Included in the package are provisions championed by Representative Bera to end surprise medical billing for unexpected out-of-network emergency and scheduled care.

"The last thing a patient should have to worry about when visiting their doctor or an emergency room are unexpected and expensive medical bills that can lead to major debt and financial ruin," said Rep. Bera. "Today's vote will give Americans a peace of mind when visiting their doctor or health care provider."