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[firstname],

The coronavirus crisis is unprecedented: 46 El Pasoans have died from COVID-19, almost 60,000 people in our region have lost their jobs, our small businesses are hurting, and Texas and El Paso government revenues have declined sharply putting at risk the job and health security of our first responders, health care workers, and teachers.

H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act

The  Heroes Act provides Texas and El Paso local governments on the frontlines of this crisis with robust, desperately needed funding to cover coronavirus-related outlays and revenue loss and pay our health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs. 

An analysis prepared by the Congressional Research Service estimates that the Heroes Act will provide over $35 billion in state funding for Texas in addition to urgently needed funding for El Paso communities:

• City of El Paso - $458 million over two years
• County of El Paso - $471 million over two years
• Anthony - $2 million over two years
• Town of Horizon City - $9 million over two years
• Village of Vinton - $1 million over two years
• City of Socorro: $17 million over two years
• City of San Elizario: $4 million over two years

The Heroes Act also includes a $90 billion fund to support state and local public education, including $9.2 billion for Texas communities. This funding will help maintain or restore state and local fiscal support for elementary, secondary and public higher education and can be used to meet a wide range of urgent needs, including summer learning, afterschool programs, distance learning, and emergency financial aid for college students as well as coordination with public health departments to mitigate the spread of disease.

Below are some additional major components of the Heroes Act:

• Provides strong support for our heroes by establishing a $200 billion Heroes’ fund to ensure that essential workers across the country receive hazard pay. 
• Commits another $75 billion -- placing a priority on vulnerable communities like El Paso -- for the testing, tracing, and treatment we need in order to have a science-based path to safely reopen our country and helping ensure that every individual can access free coronavirus treatment.
• Puts money in the pockets of workers with a second round of direct payments to families up to $6,000 per household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs, and extending weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January.
• Implements the flexibility requested by small businesses, strengthening the Payroll Protection Program to ensure that it reaches underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types, extends deadlines, and provides $10 billion for COVID-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
• Ensures further support for El Pasoans, including for:
  • Health security. Provides COBRA subsidies and a special enrollment period in the ACA exchanges for those without insurance.
  • Workplace security. Requires OSHA to ensure that all workplaces develop science-based infection control plans and preventing employers from retaliating against workers who report problems.
  • Housing security. Provides $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments, and other housing-related costs.
  • 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.  
• Protects our democracy with additional resources, ensures safe elections, and provides funding for mail-in ballots, so voters don’t have to choose between exercising their right to vote and their health; and provides $25 billion to preserve the Postal Service, which will play a key role in ensuring safe elections.
• Provides additional funding for an accurate Census.

Testing in El Paso County

Texas ranks near the bottom in testing and contact tracing, which are key to containing COVID-19 and keeping El Pasoans safe. As I continue fighting and advocating for more testing in our community, I want to make sure you are aware of available testing sites in our community.

The fight against coronavirus is far from over, and this is not the time to put our guards down. We have to do our part and stay home unless we absolutely need to leave for an essential activity. We all have a role to play in slowing the spread and protecting ourselves, our family, and our community.

Because new information on COVID-19 is coming out daily, please visit my resource page on my website for the latest updates, recommendations from the CDC, and a Frequently Asked Questions section. Additionally, visit the sites below to stay up to date.

The CDC provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals, as well as frequently asked questions available here.

The City of El Paso is offering a hotline for residents to call for more information regarding COVID-19. The number is 915-21-COVID, or 915-212-6843.

The Texas Department of State Health Services provides updates on the disease's spread within the state.

The safety of you and your loved ones is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email at Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov or by phone at 915-541-1400. 

Sincerely,

Veronica Escobar
Member of Congress