Norton Encouraged that Rising Voices for Fourth Coronavirus Response Bill Will Help Recoup Funds for D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) works on components she wants in a fourth coronavirus response bill, she said she was encouraged when Janet Yellen, the former chair of the Federal Reserve said in a Democratic Caucus conference call this week that a fourth bill is necessary. Yellen mentioned the need for, among other things, funds for state and local governments and increased SNAP benefits.

Norton is pressing for a fourth bill for a number of reasons, especially to recoup the $750 million the District of Columbia lost in the third bill, written by the Republican Senate, which deliberately denied these funds due the District.

"Until recently, only Speaker Nancy Pelosi had spoken out for a fourth coronavirus response bill, but Janet Yellen's voice is important for the momentum we are now seeing," Norton said. "Senate Republicans, on the other hand, have hung back, indicating they want to wait longer. The longer we delay in stimulating the economy, the longer we will wait for a recovery. I am particularly encouraged by Yellen's voice for needed funds for state and local governments. The District has more coronavirus cases than 22 states and could ill afford the loss of the $750 million Senate Republicans took from the District in the third bill."

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