Nearly a year after passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the administration says the federal government has nearly used up the money dedicated directly to COVID-19 response. More money from Congress is urgently needed to buy antibody treatments, preventative pills for the immunocompromised and to fund community testing sites, officials say.
"From the COVID side, the bank account is empty," said COVID-19 deputy coordinator Natalie Quillian. "We’re in conversations with lawmakers about how to secure the funding, but it’s urgently needed." Some of the consequences could be felt later this month.