Rep. Johnson proposes amendment to increase funding for vaccine distribution
DETROIT, Mich., Feb. 4, 2021 — Rep. Cynthia A. Johnson (D-Detroit) joined Michigan House Democrats today in opposing House Republican legislation that would leave needed COVID-19 vaccine funding and other money in Washington, D.C.
Earlier this week, House Democrats released a pandemic recovery plan that would immediately release over $5 billion in federal dollars to help Michigan workers, small businesses, families and schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, House Republicans pushed through a short-sighted appropriations package that leaves some of Michigan taxpayer dollars back in Washington, D.C.
“More than 15,000 Michigan families are grieving the loss of a loved one and every day this pandemic continues will lead to more loss of life,” said Johnson, who proposed an amendment to quadruple funding for vaccine distribution. “We can ease this suffering by providing the funding to get shots in as many arms as possible as quickly as possible, but the House Republican plan falls short. This is the light at the end of the tunnel, so now is not the time to withhold funding from a program that could help end this nightmare.”
House Democrats demanded several changes to the bills during session, including:
- Bringing home all $90 million in federal stimulus for vaccine distribution throughout Michigan
- Bringing home all $575 million in federal stimulus to expand COVID testing, tracing and lab capacity
- Bringing home all $2.1 billion in federal stimulus to provide food assistance
- Bringing home all $661 million in federal stimulus to help with rental assistance and winter utility bills
- Adding $240 million in direct relief to small businesses
- Extending unemployment assistance from 20 to 26 weeks
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