The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On March 14, 2020, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on a bipartisan basis, 363-40. The multi-billion dollar legislation aims to temper the financial impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) on states, territories, the uninsured, the unemployed, workers, and individuals who rely on food assistance, such as children and low-income seniors. To ensure swift passage, the legislation does not include more contentious measures, such as tax cuts or plans to assist specific types of affected industries.
On March 16, 2020, the House approved a technical corrections package which reportedly made a number of substantive changes to the earlier legislation; the resolution that made these changes has not been officially published. The Senate is expected to take up the emergency package this week or include the House bill as part of a broader stimulus spending package.
Lawmakers have committed to continue providing immediate and significant assistance as the pandemic progresses, including a broader economic stimulus package.