House approves bipartisan bill to aid families in response to coronavirus

Robert Pelaez
United States House of Representatives: From Wikipedia

A bipartisan bill to aid families throughout the nation during the coronavirus outbreak was passed by the House of Representatives.

Just before 1 a.m. on Saturday, the House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The bill is sponsored by House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-NY).

The bill passed the House 363-40 and now goes to the Senate after the House passed a separate bill making technical corrections on Monday night.

According to the House Appropriations Committee’s summary of the bill:

  • $500 million will be allocated to provide access to nutritious foods to low-income pregnant women or mothers with young children who lose their jobs or are laid off due to the coronavirus.
  • $400 million will be allocated to assist local food banks to meet the heightened demand from low-income Americans during the emergency.
  • $1 billion will be allocated for the National Disaster Medical System to reimburse costs for coronavirus testing and services provided to individuals without health insurance.
  • $60 million will be allocated for the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover costs of coronavirus testing for veterans receiving health aid through medical services or medical community care.
  • Funding will be provided for free coronavirus testing, 14-day paid sick leave and three months of paid family and medical leave for American workers affected by the pandemic and increased funding for food stamps.

The bill’s passing came after two days of “volatile negotiations” between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, according to The Washington Post.

The Post said Pelosi and Mnuchin spoke on the phone 13 times throughout the course of Friday, which ultimately resulted in a deal despite criticism of the House Democrats from President Donald Trump during an afternoon news conference.

Trump ultimately took to Twitter and expressed support for the bipartisan bill.

“I encourage all Republicans and Democrats to come together and VOTE YES! I will always put the health and well-being of American families FIRST,” Trump wrote. “Look forward to signing the final Bill, ASAP!”

In a news release, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) echoed the universal message of precautionary health and social distancing in the country to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“Heed the advice of public health experts who agree that the most effective way to ‘flatten the curve’ of the spread of Coronavirus is by practicing ‘social distancing’ to keep our communities healthy,” Suozzi wrote.

Though he supported the bill, Suozzi said in a release on Monday that said “much more needs to be done.”

“The fact remains that there are simply not enough tests available and this lack of testing is naturally causing concern,” Suozzi wrote. “… I am continuing to work closely with our elected officials along with the private sector to ensure that our health professionals have access to the tools that they need to address this growing crisis.”

According to published reports, all of the 40 “no” votes came from Republican members of Congress.

According to The Post, the Senate is expected to pass the bill this week after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) canceled a previously planned recess so senators could act on the issue.

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