Fitzpatrick proposes bill to extend timeframe for federal reimbursements to local governments

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) recently introduced a bipartisan bill to extend the permissible use of funds timeframe under the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), which are used to reimburse local governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This bipartisan bill would extend the timeframe under which Coronavirus Relief Funds can be used,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “This extension will allow our counties, which have all been severely impacted, more time to utilize the funds allocated to them through CARES Act and better serve our constituents into early next year.”

Rep. Fitzpatrick on July 16 sponsored the Coronavirus Relief Fund Local Government Flexibility Act, H.R. 7631, with original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) to extend the CRF timeframe, which now runs during the period of March 1 through Dec. 30, to Dec. 30 through March 31, 2021.

“It is becoming more likely that COVID-19 and its repercussions are a reality that we will continue to face through the end of the year,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “This will lead to our counties and local governments incurring costs beyond the December deadline passed in the CARES Act.”

The CRF was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and funds may be used to cover expenditures that allow local governments to respond directly to the pandemic, including by addressing medical or public health needs and to help county governments adequately prepare for future costs related to the ongoing pandemic, according to the congressman’s office.

H.R. 7631 is now under consideration in the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee.