Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement on the House emergency funding bill to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

“I am pleased to see robust funding for state and local public health departments, which have collectively spent millions of dollars to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington state. In the absence of any medical countermeasures for COVID-19, mitigating the spread of the virus through public health efforts is our best hope to keep communities safe and healthy.

“Washington state, which continues to be the most impacted by the virus, will immediately receive $11.5 million to backfill public health budgets. It will also be eligible for additional funds as the state combats the outbreak. I fought for this critical funding for the public health agencies in Washington state, and will continue to advocate for our first responders.

“I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass the emergency supplemental.

“Our state and local health officials in Washington are working around the clock to slow the spread of COVID-19, and now it is time for Congress to provide them the resources they need to continue this fight.” 

The COVID-19 emergency funding bill includes $950 million for state and local public health agencies responding to the virus. Earlier this week, Rep. DelBene led a letter from the Washington congressional delegation calling for robust funding to backfill frontline health agencies.