Pallone Hails Senate Passage of Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Press Release

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today after the Senate passed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Pallone is an original co-sponsor of the bill that passed in the House last week and helped draft key provisions, including expanding access to coronavirus testing free of charge and an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) that the federal government provides to state and territorial Medicaid programs:

"In the face of an unprecedented global challenge, Congress came together today to pass a second bipartisan legislative package to assist people across the country affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

"I'm proud to have helped draft this lifeline legislation, which will help expand access to free coronavirus testing for everyone no matter their insurance coverage status, establish paid sick leave for those who have to take time off, strengthen unemployment assistance for those who may be laid off or furloughed, increase resources for food assistance programs and expand federal funding for state and territorial Medicaid programs.

"This package is a key step forward in our ongoing effort to respond to the outbreak, but our work is not done. I will continue to work across the aisle in the coming days to confront this public health emergency with the government wide response it demands. Congress has already begun discussions on a third legislative package to help protect against the economic consequences of the coronavirus, and I will continue to do everything I can to help keep Americans healthy and safe."

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