WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to provide Americans with benefits and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:

“As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act represents an important step towards protecting students, families and workers during this uncertain time.  The bill ensures coronavirus tests will be free to all who need them, strengthens unemployment benefits, and creates a pathway for employers to provide paid sick leave to workers.  At a time when many Americans are unsure about where their next meal will come from, it also increases SNAP flexibility and ensures children impacted by school closures have access to nutritious meals. 

“However, while I voted in favor of this measure, more needs to be done to protect all Americans, especially those who are struggling to make ends meet.  This public health crisis is likely going to get worse before it gets better, and communities across the country need to know they will not be left behind.  I urge my colleagues to get back to work to find additional ways to protect the safety, health and financial security of all Americans.”

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act includes provisions to:

• Expand food assistance for vulnerable children and families, including through SNAP, WIC, school meals, and food banks;
• Establish free coronavirus testing;
• Provide emergency paid sick leave to workers;
• Strengthen unemployment benefits;
• Protect frontline health workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19;
• And provide additional funding to states for Medicaid and other programs as they face the ongoing economic consequences of the pandemic, among other provisions.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act includes the Pandemic EBT Act, introduced by Reps. Fudge and Scott, to provide states with the option to extend benefits (or “Pandemic EBT”) to households with children attending schools that are closed due to a public health emergency based on the coronavirus disease.

The legislation passed today builds on the $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus spending package enacted into law on March 6, 2020.  That package included funding for vaccine research and development, state and local public health agencies, and loans for small businesses affected by the public health crisis.

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