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WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) pushed U.S. Forest Service Chief Victoria Christiansen to increase federal support for California volunteer firefighters in advance of another catastrophic fire season. In recent weeks, Rep. Harder has heard from numerous volunteer firefighters concerned that they cannot afford to take time off their regular jobs to fight fires due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now accepting applications for funeral assistance of up to $9,000 per funeral and up to $35,000 total for Central Valley families who lost loved ones to COVID-19. Rep. Harder helped pass the funeral assistance program as part of the American Rescue Plan.

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) renewed his call for a federal infrastructure package focused on Central Valley job creation and water infrastructure. This morning, the Biden administration released a new California specific fact sheet detailing the dire need for infrastructure investments in the state. In response to this new fact sheet and in advance of Congress' return to session, Rep. Harder released the following statement:

MODESTO — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that more help is on the way for local businesses as the Small Business Administration's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program begins accepting applications this morning. Rep. Harder helped secure additional funding for the program as part of the American Rescue Plan's support for jobs and small businesses. The program includes a total of over $16 billion in grants for shuttered venues like small music halls, bars, movie theaters, and museums.

MODESTO — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program has begun distributing vaccines to Walmart locations across the Central Valley. The program, supported by Rep.

MODESTO – Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced that many Social Security recipients and others who have not yet received their direct stimulus checks of up to $1,400 from the American Rescue Plan should expect to see electronic payments hit their bank accounts as early as today. The announcement comes after the date was set by the IRS late last month.

MODESTO — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) announced two new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants totaling almost $400,000 for Modesto City-County Airport and Oakdale Airport. The Modesto grant will send $305,100 for the airport to enhance protection for their runways. The Oakdale grant will send $91,880 allow the airport to continue its pavement management project.

MODESTO — Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) pushed the Biden administration to include a full restoration of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction in his final infrastructure plan.

"Restoring the SALT deduction puts real money back in the pockets of Central Valley families and it should be included in the final version of the infrastructure package," said Rep. Harder. "Our families have struggled enough over the past year, and it's beyond time we got them some help instead of targeting them based on where they live."

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