Schneider Statement on Vote for Heroes Act

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) released the following statement on his vote in favor of the Heroes Act, the House's next more than $3 trillion legislative package to respond to the public health and economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis:

"The COVID pandemic is an unprecedented crisis requiring unprecedented actions. We have to take bold and big actions to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people, and to secure a bright future for the American economy. The Heroes Act, while not perfect, is an important, forward-looking response to the extraordinary health and economic challenges immediately posed by the crisis.

"For our states and localities stretched dangerously thin on the frontlines of this crisis, the Heroes Act commits nearly $1 trillion to ensure the health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who keep us safe can stay on the job, while also creating a fund to issue hazard pay to essential workers.

"Critical to the science-based path our nation needs to safely reopen, the legislation commits $75 billion for the testing, tracing and treatment and to helping ensure that every American can access free coronavirus treatment.

"In addition, the Heroes Act would also create a second round of direct economic stimulus payments, provide additional support for small businesses, and make critical investments in health security, housing security, food security, and the US Postal Service."

"Today's vote is obviously not the last word. It's imperative that the Senate and the White House now work together with the House to swiftly refine and finalize this next coronavirus relief package. We must not let partisan gridlock continue while so many families, communities, and small businesses are on the brink. Today's legislation is a strong starting point and a clear statement of the House's priorities that I urge the Senate to take up without delay."

Background:

The Heroes Act contains legislative language and several provisions previously introduced by Schneider, including:

Establish Medical Supply Chain Director: Dating to the early stages of the COVID pandemic, Schneider has repeatedly called for the Administartion to appoint a "supply chain czar" to centralize the authorities of the federal government to better manage our medical device supply chain, in particular for PPE and testing. He raised the issue in hearings with both Treasury Sec. Mnuchin and HHS Sec. Azar, and in April, led a caucus letter to House leadership, requesting subsequent stimulus packages call for the creation of a medical supply chain director or "czar," empowered with the authority to survey states and hospitals, and produce, procure, and allocate critical supplies based on need. The Heroes Act includes this request by requiring the President to appoint a Medical Supplies Response Coordinator with similar authorities.

Eliminate Cap on State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction. The Heroes Act would eliminate the $10,000 cap on the deduction for state and local taxes for taxable years beginning on

or after January 1, 2020 and on or before December 31, 2021. Schneider previously helped introduce legislation H.R. 5377, Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would repeal the cap. It passed the House in December 2019.

Allow Public Employers to Access Emergency Paid Leave Tax Credits. Last month, Schneider introduced legislation, the Supporting State and Local Leaders Act, to remove the exclusion of federal, state, and local governments from the paid sick and FMLA tax credits from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Under current law, only private employers are eligible for these tax credits. Schneider's legislation is included in the Heroes Act.

Fix Loan Repayment Terms for Hospitals and Doctors. This week, Rep. Schneider introduced the Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payments Improvement Act. This bill would lower exorbitant interest rates and ease repayment terms for loans to hospitals, physicians, and other health providers made by the federal government and save suffering providers billions of dollars nationwide. The Heroes Act includes this legislation.

Permanently Reauthorize Conrad 30 Program for Immigrant Physicians. The Heroes Act would permanently reauthorize and expand the Conrad 30 program, which allows foreign medical students who graduate on J-1 visas to remain in the United States if they practice in rural or other medically-underserved areas. Rep. Schneider previously introduced legislation (H.R. 2895) that would reauthorize this program.

Address Visa Backlog for Immigrant Physicians. Last week, Rep. Schneider introduced the bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act to reallocate visas to foreign-born doctors and nurses, as well as expedite their processing through the green card backlog. The Heroes Act would allow immigrant physicians stuck in the visa backlog to apply immediately if engaged in COVID-related work.

Provide Flexibility for USCIS. In April, Schneider helped lead a letter to USCIS encouraging the agency grant greater flexibility to doctors currently in the U.S. on H-1B or J-1 visas so that their worksite is guided by COVID-related public health need rather than the restrictions of their visa. The Heroes Act would provide this flexibility, allowing hospitals and other employers of these doctors to allocate their workforce according to emergency demand.

• The text of The Heroes Act, H.R. 6800, is here.
• A one pager on the legislation is here.
• A section-by-section summary is here.
• A resource on the state and local relief provisions is here.

The legislation follows the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act enacted on April 24; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted on March 27; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, enacted on March 18; and the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act enacted on March 6.