Garamendi Votes to Pass Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Washington, DC—Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) voted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which provides the resources American families need to protect themselves from the spread of the novel coronavirus without fear of losing their wages and other necessities. The legislation includes:

• Free coronavirus testing by ensuring that everyone has access to testing at no cost, including those with private insurance, Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, VA, FEHBP, and TRICARE, as well as the uninsured.
  
• Paid emergency leave by establishing an Emergency Paid Leave Program to ensure those who take leave to avoid spreading the virus or due to illness or caregiving responsibilities can pay their bills.
  
• Enhanced Unemployment Insurance by giving states the resources and flexibility to provide unemployment benefits to laid-off and furloughed workers, as well as workers who exhaust their allotted paid leave.
  
• Strengthened food security initiatives by including more than $1 billion to provide nutritious foods to low-income pregnant women and mothers with young children, help local food banks, and provide home-delivered meals to seniors.
  
• Increased federal funds for Medicaid by increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) that the federal government provides to state and territorial Medicaid programs. This will prevent states from cutting Medicaid benefits.

"The health and safety of my constituents is my utmost concern during the coronavirus pandemic. Congress must take every step to ensure American families have the tools they need to protect themselves from the virus without facing and economic hardship. That's why I supported the Families First Coronavirus Response Act," Garamendi said.

"This critical legislation establishes a paid sick leave program to ensure no one is forced to choose between paying the bills and protecting themselves from the virus, and strengthens unemployment insurance to ensure laid off and furloughed workers don't suffer during these trying times. I urge the Senate and President to act quickly and support this legislation to provide American families with the support and resources they deserve," Garamendi concluded.