Dear San Franciscan,

Today, the House passed H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act to support our frontline workers who risk their lives to save lives, pursue a science-based path to safely open our economy and put money in the pockets of America’s workers and families.

 
Congresswoman Pelosi spoke on the House Floor to urge passage of the Heroes Act.

House Democrats have committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of the American people and the life of our democracy in responding to the pandemic and the economic catastrophe that has followed. Here's what is included in the Heroes Act:

• Honoring Our Heroes: Provides nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments, including $1.8 billion for San Francisco, who desperately need funds to pay vital workers like first responders, health workers, and teachers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs.
• A Heroes’ Fund for Essential Workers: Establishes a $200 billion Heroes’ fund to ensure that essential workers who have risked their lives working during the pandemic receive hazard pay. The bill authorizes eligibility for medical benefits, lost wages and survivor benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. Health care practitioners in California will also now be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Testing, Tracing, and Treatment: Provides another $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures, ensures every American can access free coronavirus treatment, and supports hospitals and providers.
• More Direct Payments: Cushions the economic blow of the coronavirus crisis with a second round of more substantial economic impact payments of $1,200 per family member, up to $6,000 per household.
• Protects Payrolls: Enhances the new employee retention tax credit that encourages employers to keep employees on payroll, allowing 60 million Americans to remain connected to their paychecks and benefits.
• Worker Safety: Requires OSHA to issue a strong, enforceable standard within seven days to require all workplaces to develop and implement infection control plans based on CDC expertise, and prevents employers from retaliating against workers who report infection control problems.
• Supports Small Businesses and Nonprofits: Strengthens 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.
• Preserves Health Coverage: Protects Americans losing their employer-provided health insurance with COBRA subsidies to maintain their coverage and creates a special enrollment period in the ACA exchanges for uninsured Americans.
• Extends Unemployment Benefits: Extends weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January, providing a vital safety net for the record number of Americans who are unemployed.
• Housing Assistance: Helps struggling families afford a safe place to live with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments and other housing-related costs. Another $11.5 billion will be provided for Emergency Solutions Grants to address the impact of coronavirus among individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Food Security: Addresses rising hunger with a 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
• Safeguards for Our Democracy: Includes new resources to ensure an accurate Census, preserve the Postal Service, and protect our elections. California will receive $330 million in Election Assistance Grants.