6 years ago

$1.25 Billion COVID-19 Relief Bill to Support Families Passes House

To help coronavirus-induced economic concerns, the House passed a $1.25 billion relief bill called Families First Coronavirus Response bill.

The bill provides assistance including suspension of work and job requirements for SNAP benefit recipients and gives states the authority to provide money to low-income families.

According to Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, “This legislation provides relief and security to the families in Oregon and across the country who are already being hurt by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, it offers families paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, enhanced unemployment insurance, food security, and free and widespread testing for the virus. We know that many children across the country rely on school meals to combat food insecurity, which is why I am proud that the Families First bill includes my legislation to make sure children can still access school meals during closures.”

According to Vox, the bill provides paid leave to those infected with the virus or required to care for others, provides free virus testing, strengthens unemployment insurance requires and boosts food assistance programs.

The Senate must approve the bill to make it law after the House of Representatives approved the bill on March 15. President Trump supported the bill via Twitter the night before the House passed the bill, clearing it for expected passage in the Senate. We will update as more information becomes available.

Check the CDC website for more information on how to protect yourself and check our latest article to learn how COVID-19 differs from the flu.

Scientists believe that the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, started at an exotic animal market in Wuhan, China. You can help stop the incidence of viruses like these by signing this petition to ban the wildlife trade.

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Catch up on our coronavirus coverage in One Green Planet, check out these articles:

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