House Passes Bipartisan Coronavirus Package to Help American Families Prepare and Respond to COVID-19

(Washington, D.C.)- Early this morning, Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) voted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which passed by a vote of 363 to 40 and now awaits action by the Senate.

“The rampant spread of coronavirus jeopardizes the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans and their families, and Congress needs to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure that our constituents have the resources they need to combat this crisis. Reports of health care systems being overwhelmed, individuals being unable to access testing, and families having to make tough decisions between their health and their financial wellbeing are simply unacceptable. That is why I proudly voted for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as a critical step in desperately needed action to address this public health emergency,” said Rep. Sires.

This legislation along with an earlier passed $8.3 billion Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations package, will provide individuals, states, and local governments the resources they need to adequately combat this crisis. Specifically, H.R. 6201 includes:

– free coronavirus testing for everyone, including the uninsured

– two weeks of paid emergency sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave

– added flexibility and resources to states for enhanced unemployment insurance

– over $1 billion for domestic nutrition assistance programs and added flexibility to ensure that low-income families, seniors, and children who would otherwise rely on schools for free and reduced meals, can still access nutritious foods

– tools to ensure that states can maintain Medicaid benefits for enrollees.