Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), and Representatives Jim Langevin (RI-02), Peter Welch (VT At-Large), and Bill Keating (MA-09) held a call with regional reporters as the House is set to pass the Heroes Act –  which includes critical support for frontline workers that New England Democrats have been fighting for, along with additional direct payments of up to $6,000 for families who are struggling, and investments in testing, small businesses and more.

Trahan, Cicilline, Langevin, Welch, and Keating are calling on the Senate to take up and pass the Heroes Act quickly so state and local governments can get the support they need to pay health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who are at risk of losing their jobs if the Senate refuses to act. 

A summary of the Heroes Act is available HERE.

“These past few months have been hard on all of us – there’s no understating that – but it’s been a grueling marathon for our frontline workers who show up each day to fight this virus head-on. Passing the Heroes Act will show the heroes in our communities that we have their backs just as much as they’ve had ours,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan.

“This is the worst pandemic in more than a century. More than 80,000 Americans are dead. 36 million have filed for unemployment. Our economy is in shambles. And President Trump only seems concerned about getting re-elected,” said Congressman Cicilline. “Once again, Congress is stepping up where the President has failed to lead. The Heroes Act will provide $5.3 billion to Rhode Island, $1 trillion for frontline workers, $200 billion for hazard pay, and $75 billion for testing, tracing, and isolation. The Senate should bring it up without delay.”

“Congress must provide additional help to Americans struggling to get by amid one of the most challenging times in our history,”said Congressman Langevin. “The Heroes Act is a necessary lifeline for hardworking families, frontline heroes, and the communities that are at the heart of our nation’s strength. We’re at a critical point, there should be no further delay in getting desperately needed help to those who need it most.”

“Our response to this devastating pandemic must rise to the unprecedented challenge in front of us,” said Congressman Welch. “This bill includes strong support for our first responders working around the clock to keep us healthy and safe, critical money for struggling state governments, important reforms for small businesses receiving PPP loans, and direct help for Americans struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. I strongly support the legislation on the House floor today.  Our communities need relief now.”  

“Our Commonwealth, municipalities, working families and seniors urgently need additional federal relief to move forward through this crisis,” said Congressman Keating.  “Here at home in Southeastern Massachusetts, our frontline heroes are even at risk of losing their jobs as they risk their lives to care for us.  The Heroes Act will protect Massachusetts families and ensure all our frontline workers have the support they need to continue to save lives and keep our communities safe and healthy.”

An analysis prepared by the Congressional Research Service estimates that the Heroes Act will provide at least $12 billion in state funding for the people of Massachusetts, another $1.5 billion for Massachusetts school districts and public higher education, and urgently needed funding for communities in the Third District, including:

• Town of Acton: $11,719,438 over two years;
• Town of Andover: $17,972,142 over two years;
• Town of Ashburnham: $3,133,017 over two years;
• Town of Ashby: $1,596,624 over two years;
• Town of Ayer: $4,030,562 over two years;
• Town of Berlin: $1,589,712 over two years;
• Town of Bolton: $2,654,128 over two years;
• Town of Boxborough: $3,153,752 over two years;
• Town of Carlisle: $2,590,441 over two years;
• Town of Chelmsford: $17,434,009 over two years;
• Town of Clinton: $6,922,654 over two years;
• Town of Concord: $9,484,460 over two years;
• Town of Dracut: $15,673,477 over two years;
• Town of Dunstable: $1,680,553 over two years;
• City of Fitchburg: $71,464,399 over two years;
• Town of Gardner: $10,228,959 over two years;
• Town of Groton: $5,621,262 over two years;
• Town of Harvard: $3,263,353 over two years;
• City of Haverhill: $74,467,818 over two years;
• Town of Hudson: $9,854,241 over two years;
• Town of Lancaster: $4,040,930 over two years;
• City of Lawrence: $123,287,355 over two years;
• Town of Littleton: $5,055,976 over two years;
• City of Lowell: $159,219,123 over two years;
• Town of Lunenburg: $5,755,055 over two years;
• City of Marlborough: $19,661,581 over two years;
• Town of Maynard: $5,266,292 over two years;
• City of Methuen: $25,029,576 over two years;
• Town of Pepperell: $6,003,879 over two years;
• Town of Shirley: $3,776,307 over two years;
• Town of Stow: $3,561,548 over two years;
• Town of Sudbury: $9,689,839 over two years;
• Town of Townsend: $4,713,349 over two years;
• Town of Tyngsborough: $6,130,760 over two years;
• Town of Westford: $11,994,922 over two years;
• Town of Westminster: $3,892,327 over two years;
• Town of Winchendon: $5,386,755 over two years

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