Suozzi: Bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Response Act is an Important Step Forward but Much More Needs to be Done

Washington DC – On Saturday morning, at 12:52 AM, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) and his colleagues voted 363-40 to pass the House bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This critical legislation now must pass the Senate.

“The fact remains that there are simply not enough tests available and this lack of testing is naturally causing concern.  While my advice to ‘be prepared, and not scared’ is still valid, know that I am continuing to work closely with our elected officials along with the private sector to ensure that our health professionals have access to the tools that they need to address this growing crisis,” said Suozzi. “Please continue to remain vigilant and commit to practicing ‘social distancing’. It is the most effective tool, and one that we can control ourselves, to ‘flatten the curve’ of the spread of coronavirus within our families and communities.”

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides:

• Free testing for everyone who needs it, no matter their insurance status;
• Paid leave, including 14 days of paid sick leave and three months of paid family and medical leave for those who are sick, those who are required to self-quarantine, those who must care for a family member, and those who must care for their children when schools close;
• Enhanced unemployment insurance for workers who are furloughed;
• Food security for vulnerable communities like school children and low-income individuals; and
• Strengthened Medicaid funding to help our local hospitals meet increased demand.

Last week in Washington, Suozzi met with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, to discuss the immediate need for increased testing in order to develop a comprehensive containment plan.

Suozzi has also met with and been briefed by other Administration officials including Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, and Assistant Surgeon General Stephen Redd.

As the Senate works to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Suozzi, and his colleagues will begin work on a third emergency response package to protect the health, economic security and well-being of the American people. They will do so in continued consultation with scientists, researchers, health care professionals, public health officials and community leaders, so that we can craft the most effective, evidence-based response.

Lastly, Suozzi remains committed to keeping his constituents updated on his actions and best practices to try and combat the spread of Coronavirus. In addition to regular posts on his social media pages, Suozzi has sent out two letters to his constituents urging them to follow CDC guidelines and do everything they can to “flatten the curve,” and contain the spread of this virus. A letter sent on March 14 seen here, and another sent on March 11 can be seen here.