The Heroes Act
Latest action (29 Sep 2020): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 8406, the Heroes Act, was a broad emergency supplemental appropriations bill introduced in the House on September 29, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It would provide additional federal funding across dozens of policy areas, including agriculture and nutrition programs (such as SNAP, WIC, and emergency food assistance), rural housing assistance, Commerce Department programs (including the Census Bureau, Patent and Trademark Office, and NOAA fisheries assistance), and Department of Health and Human Services activities related to vaccine review. Most funds are designated as emergency spending exempt from standard budget caps. Beyond these appropriations, the bill's structure indicates it would also address many other areas—including education relief, worker protections, small business support, unemployment benefits, health care, housing, veterans' programs, election and Census matters, and foreign aid—through numerous separate divisions and titles, though the provided text mainly details the agriculture, rural development, and commerce-related appropriations.
The bill would primarily affect federal agencies receiving the funding, along with the individuals, businesses, states, territories, and Tribal governments served by the programs involved—for example, WIC and SNAP recipients, rural housing tenants, fishery participants, and manufacturers assisted through NIST programs.
The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Appropriations, along with the Budget and Ways and Means Committees, but it did not receive a vote in the House. According to the Congressional Research Service, its provisions were later incorporated into other legislation rather than being enacted as a standalone bill.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
The Heroes Act
This bill provides additional appropriations, modifies existing programs and requirements, and establishes new programs to address the continued impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8406 do?
- H.R. 8406, the Heroes Act, was a broad emergency supplemental appropriations bill introduced in the House on September 29, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It would provide additional federal funding across dozens of policy areas, including agriculture and nutrition programs (such as SNAP, WIC, and emergency food assistance), rural housing assistance, Commerce Department programs (including the Census Bureau, Patent and Trademark Office, and NOAA fisheries assistance), and Department of Health and Human Services activities related to vaccine review. Most funds are designated as emergency spending exempt from standard budget caps. Beyond these appropriations, the bill's structure indicates it would also address many other areas—including education relief, worker protections, small business support, unemployment benefits, health care, housing, veterans' programs, election and Census matters, and foreign aid—through numerous separate divisions and titles, though the provided text mainly details the agriculture, rural development, and commerce-related appropriations. The bill would primarily affect federal agencies receiving the funding, along with the individuals, businesses, states, territories, and Tribal governments served by the programs involved—for example, WIC and SNAP recipients, rural housing tenants, fishery participants, and manufacturers assisted through NIST programs. The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Appropriations, along with the Budget and Ways and Means Committees, but it did not receive a vote in the House. According to the Congressional Research Service, its provisions were later incorporated into other legislation rather than being enacted as a standalone bill.
- Has H.R. 8406 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Sep 2020, H.R. 8406 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8406?
- H.R. 8406 was sponsored by Rep. Nita Lowey [D-NY17, 2013-2020] (Democrat-NY), with 10 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8406?
- Introduced (29 Sep 2020).
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