On Saturday, March 14, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) voted to pass bipartisan legislation to address the coronavirus crisis, keep families safe, and stimulate the economy. The bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides coronavirus testing free of charge to the patient, paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave, up to three months of paid family and medical leave, enhanced Unemployment Insurance to protect furloughed workers, strengthened food security programs for children, students, seniors, and food banks, and increased federal investment to help state and local governments and health systems respond to the virus.

“The coronavirus has officially reached a pandemic level, with a rising number of cases in North Jersey, and deepening impacts on workers and families in communities throughout our state and across our country. Last week, Congress passed a bipartisan emergency federal investment that was signed into law to provide a robust response to the crisis, but we now need additional resources for more tests, to protect workers, and to boost local health systems’ response efforts,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Today, the House passed bipartisan legislation so our communities, hospitals, and all levels of government can continue combating the outbreak of the coronavirus, take care of patients, help stop the spread of the virus, and ensure our country is protected from this public health emergency. These new resources and protections will help support the North Jersey community through this crisis.”

Today’s legislation provides:

• Coronavirus testing:
  • Free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured. 

• Health security: 
  • Increased federal investment to support our state and local governments and health systems, so that they have the resources necessary to combat this crisis.

• Economic security: 
  • Paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave. 
  • Up to three months of paid family and medical leave.
  • Enhanced Unemployment Insurance, to extend protections to furloughed workers.
  • Tax credits for paid sick and paid family and medical leave.

• Food security:
  • Strengthened nutrition security initiatives, including SNAP, student meals, seniors’ nutrition and food banks.  

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