Presidential Actions

Maximizing Assistance To Respond to COVID-19

SignedMarch 1, 2022
Memorandum·Joe Biden·COVID-19 Response
Why This Matters

This memorandum directs FEMA to provide full federal funding for emergency protective measures related to COVID-19, supporting state and local governments in their response efforts. It emphasizes the federal government's commitment to assist families, schools, and businesses during the pandemic.

The order aims to enhance the financial support available for COVID-19 response efforts, potentially leading to improved public health outcomes and resource availability.
State and local governments, as well as communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, are most affected by this order.
Summary

1. FEMA will cover 100% of federal costs for eligible COVID-19 emergency protective measures. 2. The assistance applies to actions taken from January 20, 2020, to July 1, 2022. 3. The memorandum reinforces federal support for state and local governments in combating the pandemic.

Who is affected?

State and local governments, as well as communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, are most affected by this order.

Read on Federal Registerfederalregister.gov
Read Full Text
Memorandum of March 1, 2022

Maximizing Assistance To Respond to COVID-19

Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security [and] the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”), I hereby order as follows:

Section 1 . Policy. It is the policy of my Administration to combat and respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with the full capacity and capability of the Federal Government to protect and support our families, schools, and businesses, and to assist State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to do the same, including through emergency and disaster assistance available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and through Federal support of the Governors' use of the National Guard.

Sec. 2 . Assistance for Category B COVID-19 Emergency Protective Measures. FEMA shall provide a 100 percent Federal cost share for all work eligible for assistance under Public Assistance Category B, pursuant to sections 403 (42 U.S.C. 5170b), 502 (42 U.S.C. 5192), and 503 (42 U.S.C. 5193) of the Stafford Act, including work described in section 3(a) of the Presidential Memorandum of January 21, 2021 (Memorandum to Extend Federal Support to Governors' Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 and to Increase Reimbursement and Other Assistance Provided to States), and in section 2 of that memorandum on the Governors' use of the National Guard, performed from January 20, 2020, through July 1, 2022.

Sec. 3 . General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d) The Administrator of FEMA is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

[FR Doc. 2022-04778

Filed 3-3-22; 8:45 am]

Billing code 9111-23-P

Maximizing Assistance To Respond to COVID-19 - PILLARS