This fall FEMA abruptly changed course to not reimburse communities for COVID-19 expenses, Pappas co-sponsored the FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020 to correct this.
WASHINGTON, DC - Following months of advocacy and calls for action from Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01),a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Biden Administration signed a memorandum today instructing FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to reimburse 100% of COVID related emergency expenses under the Stafford disaster declaration. Rep. Pappas has been a leader in Congress pushing for communities in New Hampshire and throughout the country to be reimbursed in full by FEMA for COVID-19 related expenses.
The reimbursements are retroactive to the January 20, 2020 declarations for the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, it was reported that FEMA abruptly changed course and told cities and towns they would not be reimbursed for the cost of COVID-19 supplies like personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies for schools, police and fire departments, and other critical public safety services.
In response, Pappas co-sponsored and helped pass House legislation that would correct that change and called on FEMA to change course.
"This is an incredibly important development for New Hampshire school districts, cities, and towns as they continue to be on the front lines of this pandemic. It never should have come to this, but I'm pleased that after months of advocacy, our communities aren't going to be stuck with the check from the federal government," said Congressman Pappas. "We have no more important obligation than to ensure that our schools, public transit, police, fire, and EMS all have the supplies and resources needed to remain safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. It was alarming and deeply troubling that FEMA changed course so suddenly to end its reimbursements to local governments for PPE and other essential COVID-19 expenses - essentially leaving our cities and towns to fend for themselves. That is why I co-sponsored legislation to right that wrong and aggressively pushed the previous administration to take corrective action. I am pleased the Biden Administration was correct to quickly heeded our calls, reversed course, and won't leave New Hampshire communities behind in the fight against COVID-19."
"I'm thrilled the President announced today the expansion of 100 percent FEMA retroactive reimbursements to local communities.=," said Mayor Joyce Craig. "Throughout the pandemic, the City of Manchester and the Manchester School District made significant investments in PPE, cleaning supplies, and more. At a time when our community is facing unprecedented revenue shortfalls as a result of COVID-19, this move will allow us access to resources to combat the pandemic and keep employees, students, and residents safe," said Mayor Joyce Craig. I want to thank Congressman Pappas for leading the effort in Congress to restore FEMA funding."
"Today's announcement is great news for municipalities," said NH Municipal Association Executive Director Margaret Byrnes. "Obtaining FEMA reimbursement for the nearly year-long COVID-19 pandemic is a high priority for our municipalities who have incurred and continue to incur unbudgeted COVID-related expenses. NHMA looks forward to providing support and information to our members to ensure that they receive the full reimbursement for this cost-share adjustment."
The COVID-19 related expenses that are again eligible for 100% reimbursement by FEMA for the state, local, tribal, and territorial governments include:
- Increased operating costs as a result of the pandemic, including the cost of operating virtual services and virus testing sites
- Training activities; personal protective equipment for first responders and essential employees;
- Medical equipment and other public health costs;
- Increased costs of operating homeless shelters and providing food to affected individuals
Last year, following news that cities like Manchester would no longer be reimbursed for COVID-19 expenses by FEMA - as originally promised ---- Pappas helped introduce the FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020 which would help ease financial burdens on states, as well as local and tribal communities that have been granted disaster declarations this year.
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