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Health and Resilience Force Act: Fighting COVID-19 and Future Crises

This act establishes two new forces: the Health Force to combat pandemics and the Resilience Force within FEMA. Its goal is to recruit and train thousands of Americans to respond to public health crises, support testing, vaccinations, and contact tracing, and strengthen health infrastructure and disaster response, while also creating new job opportunities and career development paths.
Key points
Establishes a Health Force to recruit, train, and employ workers to combat COVID-19 and future public health threats, with an annual budget of $40 billion for fiscal years 2021-2022.
Creates a Resilience Force within FEMA, hiring an additional 62,000 employees to respond to pandemics and other disasters, with an annual budget of $6.5 billion for fiscal years 2021-2023.
Prioritizes hiring for unemployed individuals, veterans, and those from high unemployment areas, while ensuring eligibility for individuals with DACA or TPS status.
Health Force members will be paid for training time and receive wages and benefits no less than those established by the Service Contract Act, with a Sense of Congress that this includes health, retirement, and paid leave.
Ensures that individuals receiving unemployment compensation who are hired into the Forces can resume receiving benefits if they become unemployed again after their service.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_32
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Process start date: 2021-01-22
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Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs To Fight COVID–19 Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_32.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-01-22.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Establishes a Health Force to recruit, train, and employ workers to combat COVID-19 and future public health threats, with an annual budget of $40 billion for fiscal years 2021-2022.
  • Creates a Resilience Force within FEMA, hiring an additional 62,000 employees to respond to pandemics and other disasters, with an annual budget of $6.5 billion for fiscal years 2021-2023.
  • Prioritizes hiring for unemployed individuals, veterans, and those from high unemployment areas, while ensuring eligibility for individuals with DACA or TPS status.
  • Health Force members will be paid for training time and receive wages and benefits no less than those established by the Service Contract Act, with a Sense of Congress that this includes health, retirement, and paid leave.
  • Ensures that individuals receiving unemployment compensation who are hired into the Forces can resume receiving benefits if they become unemployed again after their service.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2026-01-02.

CATEGORIES

Health Labor Public Investments