Amodei praises fast action by Treasury to release federal pandemic funds to states

U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) applauded April 13 action by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which launched a web portal to allow eligible state, local and tribal governments to receive federal payments that will help offset the costs of their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Once registered through this portal, states, territories and the District of Columbia will receive half of the funds allocated to them pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to the Treasury Department, which said this will fast-track the availability of a total of $71 billion to meet immediate cash flow needs. The remaining balance of the payments due will be paid no later than April 24, the department announced.

Rep. Amodei’s home state of Nevada will have access to $1.25 billion in funding to help offset costs incurred as a result of COVID-19 response efforts, according to his office.

“It’s encouraging to see more support headed our way,” Rep. Amodei said on Monday.

Treasury’s announcement follows last week’s allocation of $241 million for Nevada’s hospitals and healthcare providers and an additional $5 million in funding to help the state manage administrative costs associated with the sharp rise in unemployment claims, according to the congressman.

“With Nevada’s healthcare professionals and state and local partners currently exhausting all energy and resources to combat this pandemic, I’m incredibly grateful to Treasury officials for acting swiftly to deliver this much-needed relief a week ahead of schedule,” said Rep. Amodei.

The disbursement of Nevada’s portion of federal funding will be determined by the state, according to information provided by Rep. Amodei’s office. Specifically, the CARES Act requires that payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund only be used to cover expenses that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID–19; were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27 when the CARES Act was enacted; and were incurred during the period that begins on March 1 and ends on Dec. 30.