Cunningham Calls on Senate to Pass Bipartisan Coronavirus Response Legislation, Provide Relief for South Carolina Families
Press Release
With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continuing to grow in South Carolina, Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) called on leaders in the Senate to act immediately and in a bipartisan manner to pass H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
On Friday night, Cunningham helped pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act out of the House, bipartisan legislation that would provide free coronavirus testing to all Americans, paid sick leave for workers, enhanced unemployment measures, and other vital resources for South Carolina families.
"Over the last few days, we've seen an uptick in the number of confirmed cases in South Carolina and across the country," said Rep. Joe Cunningham. "The House put politics aside to swiftly pass legislation that ensures cost will not inhibit any American from receiving the coronavirus testing they need, gives workers the ability to stay home if they're sick, provides enhanced unemployment insurance, and provides children and seniors with continued food security during these difficult times. To keep our communities safe, we need to act now. We've reached a critical inflection point in the fight against coronavirus, and the Senate needs to act as quickly as possible for the health of families across the Country."
Critically, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act would:
Ensure all Americans have access to free and timely coronavirus testing, including those with private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, VA, and TRICARE, as well as the uninsured.
Provide two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave.
Give states the resources and flexibility to provide unemployment benefits to laid off and furloughed workers, as well as to those workers who exhaust their allotted paid leave.
Include more than $1 billion towards providing food to low-income pregnant women and mothers, helping local food banks meet increased demand, providing home-delivered and congregate meals to low-income seniors, and ensuring that children who depend on schools' free and reduced-price meals continue to have access to balanced meals in the event of school closures.
Source