WASHINGTON, D.C. — National League of Cities (NLC) CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony issued the following statement in support of the new $10 billion Bipartisan COVID Supplemental Appropriations Act for ongoing COVID-19 response. The agreement includes the bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act (S.3011), language sought by NLC and previously passed by the Senate:
“The National League of Cities commends Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) for their bipartisan leadership to advance a COVID spending bill that ensures we remain vigilant in our pandemic response without reducing essential aid for fiscal recovery in cities and towns. We are pleased Congress recognizes how local leaders have successfully used the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments to help those who need it most in their communities and want to provide local governments with more flexibility to use these funds.
We thank Senators Cornyn (R-TX) and Padilla (D-CA) for supporting local leaders with additional flexibility in the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program. The new flexibility included in the bipartisan COVID relief bill will give local governments expanded authority to use a portion of their ARPA recovery funds for transportation, CDBG-eligible activities, and disaster response. This no-cost provision helps communities meet their recovery priorities more holistically, removes hurdles for small and disadvantaged communities to leverage federal infrastructure programs, and simplifies compliance during emergencies like natural disasters.
We urge members of Congress to vote for this COVID bill to ensure uninterrupted, necessary support to combat the pandemic with vaccines and testing, as well as supporting local leaders’ flexibility to address the most pressing recovery challenges in their communities.”
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The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.