Washington, D.C. -Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, issued the following statement after House Democrats introduced a stimulus bill to assist the American people during the coronavirus pandemic:
“American workers are the backbone of our government, so it is critical they have the resources they need to take care of themselves and their families. Congress must ensure that we put families before corporations and use our resources effectively and efficiently to fight this pandemic. These should be bipartisan goals, so I hope my Republican colleagues join us as we take bold steps to help all Americans in their time of need."
The Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, includes several provisions offered by Chairwoman Maloney.
* Coronavirus Accountability and Transparency Committee: The Coronavirus Accountability and Transparency Committee would be made up of independent Inspectors General who would coordinate audits and investigations to provide accountability and identify waste, fraud, and abuse in spending under the Act and the response to the coronavirus crisis. This provision would ensure that Inspectors General have the authorities and funding necessary to conduct oversight and would require extensive public reporting through Oversight.gov on what the Inspectors General find during their oversight.
* $50 Million to Government Accountability Office: The bill would allocate $50 million to enable the independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) to help Congress conduct oversight of the spending under this bill and other efforts to respond to the crisis. GAO would be required to provide public updates on the status of its work.
* Reimbursement to Federal Workers for Child and Family Care: Federal employees who must report to work would receive up to $2,000 per child or dependent for each month they must leave work to care for children or sick family members at home.
* Maximum Telework and Weather and Safety Leave: Agencies would be required to allow telework for all eligible employees during the coronavirus pandemic and allow employees the option of administrative leave if they cannot access their offices and telework is not possible.
* Hazardous Duty Pay and Workers’ Compensation: Federal workers who provide direct care and emergency services to coronavirus patients would receive additional pay, and certain federal workers who contract the coronavirus while on duty would be eligible for workers’ compensation.
