Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) visited Portsmouth Senior Activity Center to tour the vaccination clinic being operated by members of the Portsmouth Fire Department. Rep. Pappas spoke with firefighters and community members at the facility about the work being done there and discussed the American Rescue Plan - legislation he supported that is providing $20 billion nationally to ramp up vaccination efforts as well as allocating over $13 million to the city of Portsmouth to help them provide vital services and keep residents safe.
"The Portsmouth Fire Department has gone above and beyond to provide Seacoast residents with a safe, efficient vaccination clinic that is helping get more shots in the arms of Granite Staters," said Congressman Pappas. "The single best way that we can restart our economy, get students back in the classroom, and begin to return to normal is by vaccinating more people. That is why I voted for the American Rescue Plan, which stands up a national vaccination effort and provides crucial funding for cities like Portsmouth to continue to provide essential services to residents."
Since the vaccine arrived in New Hampshire, off-duty firefighters have been working alongside the National Guard and other health professionals to administer the COVID-19 vaccine at fixed and mobile health sites. While this work is outside of their normal shifts, firefighters have nonetheless put in the extra hours to help distribute the vaccine.
Rep. Pappas voted to pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which will launch a national vaccination program, setting up community vaccinating sites nationwide and take additional measures to combat the virus, including testing, tracing, and addressing the shortages of PPE
The legislation provides over $20 billion to establish a national COVID-19 vaccination program and improve the administration and distribution of vaccinations. That funding includes $7.5 billion for the CDC to prepare, promote, distribute, administer, monitor, and track COVID-19 vaccines and $7.5 billion for FEMA to establish vaccination sites across the country.
The American Rescue Plan also allocates $1.5 billion million for New Hampshire's state, county, and local governments to maintain critical services like police, fire, and public works. Portsmouth is set to receive $13.29 million in direct funding. Rep. Pappas has been a leader in Congress calling for this direct and flexible local funding - including leading a bipartisan letter, signed by every Mayor and County Commissioner in the state, urging Congress to provide these funds.
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