Today, we will pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act after reaching an agreement with the Administration. This legislation builds on the action that House Democrats took last week to put #FamiliesFirst with our strong, bipartisan $8.3 billion emergency funding package.
#FamiliesFirst is about testing, testing, testing. To stop the spread of the virus, we have secured free #coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured.
For families’ economic security, #FamiliesFirst secures paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave. We have also secured enhanced Unemployment insurance for those who lose their jobs.
For families’ food security, #FamiliesFirst strengthens nutrition security initiatives such as SNAP, student meals, seniors’ nutrition & food banks. 22 million children rely on free or reduced-price school meals for their food security; we must ensure that they have food to eat.
For families’ health security, #FamiliesFirst increases federal funds for Medicaid to support our local, state, tribal and territorial governments and health systems, so that they have the resources necessary to combat this crisis.
As the Senate works to pass #FamiliesFirst, the House will begin work on a third emergency response package to protect the health, economic security and well-being of the American people.
