Following the president’s national emergency declaration on Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday approved a second coronavirus emergency supplemental bill that would provide an additional $2.5 billion in appropriations for the U.S. response to coronavirus.
“Tonight, Congress took action to assure the nation that their government is committed to putting families first,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK). “While this wasn’t the first draft of the bill, I’m encouraged that lofty, political opportunism could be put aside in order for Congress and the administration to provide for the health and financial well-being of the American people.”
U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and John Moolenaar (R-MI) joined Rep. Lucas and their House colleagues in voting 363-40 to approve the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, which was introduced on March 11 by seven Democrats to respond to the coronavirus outbreak by providing paid sick leave and free coronavirus testing; expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits; and requiring employers to provide additional protections for healthcare workers.
“It’s important that we take these steps to remove any reason for Americans to show up for work while sick or avoid testing because of the cost,” Rep. Calvert said. “By listening to our health care experts, practicing the sanitary and social distancing protocols, we can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in America.”
Enactment of H.R. 6201 could help “limit the spread of coronavirus and protect our friends and neighbors, especially seniors and those with underlying health conditions,” said Rep. Moolenaar.
If enacted, the $2.5 billion in funding under H.R. 6201 would authorize $1.2 billion to help cover the costs of COVID-19 testing, including $142 million to eliminate copay requirements for U.S. military service members and veterans; $1.25 billion to provide emergency nutritional assistance for senior citizens, women, children, and low-income families; and $15 million for the Internal Revenue Service to administer tax credits, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“This legislation will help ensure that cost won’t stop someone from being tested for coronavirus, and testing is critical to understanding the full scope of the situation,” Rep. Moolenaar said. “We also need to make sure that Americans who are affected by this virus know that they will have the leave-time they need to recover. They should not go to work because then they might transmit the virus to another person.”
Rep. Calvert hopes the bill might give families “some peace of mind by providing expanded sick and family leave benefits for missed work due to COVID-19 diagnosis, exposure or to care for children.”
“As Congress moves forward, continuing to keep a watchful eye on the health and fiscal needs of the country, we must remember that our first priority remains that of protecting the American people,” said Rep. Lucas. “From our nation’s top healthcare leaders to our neighbors, we all have a part to play in flattening the cure of this pandemic.”
The bill will next be considered by the U.S. Senate.