(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser released the following statement after the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed legislation that would directly provide states, localities, Tribes, and territories with funding to fight the coronavirus pandemic and its devastating economic impacts. The legislation would provide DC with an estimated $1.49 billion, in addition to $755 million to make the District whole from being shortchanged in the original CARES Act.

“We thank Chairwoman Maloney, Speaker Pelosi, and Congresswoman Norton for their leadership in not only making the District whole with the $755 million we are owed from the CARES Act, but also ensuring that, going forward, DC receives the state-equivalent funding we deserve. While we continue to fight for statehood, we are grateful to our congressional allies fighting for equal and fair treatment for DC’s 712,000 taxpaying residents.

“We know how critical this dedicated local funding will be toward our shared recovery. Faced with an ongoing financial crisis, we have had to make difficult choices and sacrifices in our budgets. With this relief, the District and other jurisdictions can focus on meeting the needs of our residents and local businesses so that, together, we can build back better and come back stronger and more resilient than ever.

“We urge the Senate to similarly pass legislation that provides this critical state and local funding.”