Finkenauer Statement on Passage of HEROES 2.0 Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) released the following statement regarding her vote on the HEROES 2.0 Act:

"While I remain hopeful that the Senate and the administration will come to the table and negotiate in good faith on a bipartisan coronavirus relief package, my constituents can no longer afford to wait. Today, I voted for the HEROES 2.0 Act to provide aid to the families and communities who need it. 

"Although imperfect, this package includes the immediate relief our families need to pay rent and keep food on the table, and that our fire departments, community hospitals and small businesses need to continue serving Iowans. 

"Among the many provisions included in this package that will provide direct, essential aid to Iowans, I’m especially glad to see an increase in the federal cost match for natural disasters – a step that will lower the local financial burden not only on the pandemic but also the ongoing derecho recovery facing communities across eastern Iowa. 

"My vote today was a vote to put Iowa’s hard working families, small businesses, and frontline workers first over political games – I encourage the Senate and the White House to do the same."

Reaction from First Congressional District: 

"The HEROES 2.0 Act provides critical assistance to individuals and business owners to help local economies recover, and to local governments to continue to provide critical services. It is especially important for cities like Cedar Rapids, who have also experienced devastating natural disasters on top of dealing with a pandemic."

— Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart

"Our locally owned businesses, community nonprofits and essential public safety services need help through this pandemic and the economic crisis caused by it — in fact, they’ve needed help for months. Passage of the HEROES 2.0 Act — which includes support for schools, first responders and our smallest small businesses as well as emergency safety standards for frontline workers — couldn’t come soon enough for the City of Waterloo. I commend Congresswoman Finkenauer for standing with our community and supporting her constituents with this vote."

— Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart

"Keeping first responders on the job during this crisis is critically important to the health, safety and welfare of all communities. This legislation provides a necessary lifeline for communities struggling to manage the fiscal crisis COVID-19 has caused."

— Marshalltown Chief of Police Michael W. Tupper 

"While we deeply appreciate the assistance that Congress provided to airports through the CARES Act last spring, it’s become increasingly clear that our industry will require additional assistance to survive the unprecedented challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The HEROES 2.0 Act provides that assistance, including critical funding to help airports and concessionaires offset the financial pressures caused by a historic downturn in air travel. Local, state and national economic recovery will depend on a strong aviation system, and we fully support this legislation to ensure we have it."

— Dubuque Regional Airport Director Todd Dalsing

"As small, independent restaurant owners financially and personally invested in the success of our community’s restaurant scene, we are in full support of the HEROES 2.0 Act. The Restaurants Act included in the legislation is a beacon of hope that could help save not only the 11 million jobs in our industry but countless additional jobs in distribution, advertising, farming, manufacturing and more. This bill won’t just protect our industry, it will provide a lifeline to a huge and diverse group of folks who work extremely hard here in Cedar Rapids and across the country. HEROES 2.0 is essential to save the American Dream for Mom and Pops like us, and preserve our safe, communal gathering places." 

— Sam & Phoebe Charles, owners of Rodina restaurant in Cedar Rapids

"The timing and importance of the HEROES 2.0 Act couldn’t be any more crucial to saving our favorite independent restaurants and bars. The Revitalization Fund included in the legislation will not only keep our restaurants open, but to ensure millions of Americans can stay employed within our communities. I am very grateful for the hard work of Congresswoman Finkenauer and the thousands of restaurant operators in the Independent Restaurant Coalition who worked night and day to protect our industry."

—Kevin Scharpf, chef and owner of Brazen Open Kitchen & Bar in Dubuque