WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $157,605,755.44 in federal funding to reimburse the New York State Division of the Budget for the cost of emergency protective measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, New York State utilized equipment, materials, and contracts to implement emergency protective measures to reduce and prevent the spread of the virus. These measures taken by New York State allowed testing center operations to run smoothly and safely, ensuring that thousands of New Yorkers could be tested to minimize the spread of the virus. This funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and authorized under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
“We are proud to deliver this $157+ million in federal funding to compensate New York for COVID response, including the costs of equipment, materials, testing centers, and emergency protective measures taken to keep our communities safe during the pandemic,” said Senator Schumer. “I will always fight to make sure New York has the resources needed to keep our communities healthy and safe.”
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State provided efficient and essential testing centers that kept New Yorkers safe,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will reimburse New York State for the costs associated with running and maintaining these critical testing centers that helped protect the health and safety of New Yorkers. I am proud to deliver this federal funding and will continue to fight for federal resources to keep New Yorkers safe.”
