Congressman DeSaulnier Secures Funding to Assess and Respond to Coronavirus’s Impact on Workers and Students in Minibus Bill

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced the passage of efforts he authored to examine the impacts of coronavirus on workers, the environment, and small businesses and to support students and their families. These provisions were included as part of the second Fiscal Year 2021 minibus (H.R. 7617), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 217-to-197.

"As coronavirus continues to ravage our communities, we have a responsibility to understand its impacts and respond accordingly. With millions more working from home and parents grappling with how best to support their children as the school year approaches, these efforts are more important now than ever before," said Congressman DeSaulnier.

Specifically, an amendment authored by Congressman DeSaulnier would fund a study at the Department of Labor to examine the effects telecommuting has had on to workers, employers, transportation emissions, and child care, among other things.

The measure for students, cosponsored by Congressman Glenn ‘GT' Thompson (R-PA), would increase funding for the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) grant program by $1 million. The program helps states and school districts promote family involvement in a student's education, and will be particularly beneficial for families who have been impacted by the changing landscape of education during the coronavirus pandemic. Congressman DeSaulnier was instrumental in the program's creation, and has helped secure funding for it since.

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