Congressman Rouda Responds to Economic Relief Plan from OC Board of Supervisors

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Today, Congressman Harley Rouda released a statement in response to the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ proposed COVID-19 relief package to aid the county’s cities, small businesses and nonprofits, named the HEART Plan.

The funding for the proposed plan would come from the federal funds the county received under the CARES Act, the $2 trillion coronavirus response bill passed by Congress in late March.

Congressman Rouda’s full statement can be found below:

“Supervisors Bartlett and Do’s HEART Plan is a pragmatic proposal that puts Orange County’s working families and small businesses first. During the coronavirus crisis, I have been proud to secure $554 million in federal funding to help our local economy and communities recover. The HEART Plan is a common-sense allocation of those funds to keep Orange County residents employed, support vulnerable communities, protect public health — I urge county leaders to support its passage.”

“However, I agree with the Board — it’s not enough. That’s why I voted to pass The Heroes Act, which would bring $2.7 billion in federal funds back to the County of Orange and local cities. To avoid long-term and wide-spread economic disaster, we must provide the resources necessary to jump-start our economy as we transition to a ‘new normal.’ Opposing necessary additional funding puts the lives and livelihoods of first responders at risk and shortchanges the taxpayers of Orange County.”