WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Chairwoman of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, released the following statement today after the Full Committee reported its budget reconciliation instructions for the American Rescue Plan:

"After two days of debate and dialogue, I'm proud that with the help of the Health Subcommittee, we've passed major aspects of the American Rescue Plan through the Energy and Commerce Committee to crush the virus. This is an all-of-America wartime plan that meets the great needs of the American people during a global pandemic.

"First, the American Rescue Plan provides $20 billion for a national vaccination and treatment strategy to fully vaccinate 300 million Americans by the end of this summer. Second, it invests $50 billion to scale up testing by buying rapid tests, expanding lab capacity, and coordinating the genetic sequencing needed to detect the troubling new variants of the virus. Third, the American Rescue Plan ensures every American can access the treatment and health care needed to defeat the virus at no cost. This includes a record investment to encourage states to finally expand Medicaid coverage to 4 million eligible Americans and offer Medicaid coverage to new mothers for a full year.

"We also passed a provision that includes $7.6 billion to shore up the FCC's E-Rate program. Prior to the pandemic, 17 million children in our country lacked internet services at home, known as the Homework Gap. Now, many of these students can't even participate in classes. This funding is critically necessary.

"The moral and economic duty of Congress to swiftly pass this legislation cannot be understated. We're in a race against death and we must get this aid to our communities as soon as possible."