On Coronavirus Legislation - March 13, 2020

Good Afternoon. Over the last several weeks our nation has been faced with a grave and accelerating challenge. One that tests our compassion, ingenuity, and resolve. The coronavirus crisis. Sadly — and prayerfully — we have learned of the tragic deaths of at least 41 Americans from this public health emergency so far. The American people expect and deserve a coordinated, science-based, and whole of government response to keep them and their loved ones safe. A response that puts families first to stimulate the economy. To put families first, last week the House passed a strong bipartisan $8.3 billion emergency funding package of entirely new funds. We made a well-funded, evidence-based investment in public health, in developing treatments and a vaccine available to all, in prevention preparedness and response measures, and helping state, local, tribal, and territorial hospitals and health systems and in supporting impacted small businesses with SBA loans and helping families by extending telemedicine services no matter where they live. Democrats’ swift action to pass this emergency funding was essential to our nation’s long overdue response.

Next, Senate Democratic leader Schumer and I, last weekend, called for further action to put families first. Today we are passing a bill that does just that — The Families First Coronavirus Response Act — which is focused directly on providing support for America’s families — who must be our first priority. The three most important parts of this bill are testing, testing, testing. This legislation facilitates free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test — including the uninsured. We can only defeat this outbreak if we have an accurate determination of its scale and scope so that we can pursue the precise, science-based response that is necessary.

To put families first, our legislation secures paid leave with two weeks of paid sick leave and family and medical leave for those affected by the virus. And for those who lose their jobs, we are strengthening unemployment insurance — a critical step to protect workers’ economic security. Putting families first, our legislation protects our children. In particularly, the tens of millions of little children who rely on the free or reduced-price lunch they receive at school for their food security. As schools are being closed, these children will be deprived of their meals. Our bill takes aggressive action to strengthen food security initiatives, including student meals as well as SNAP, seniors’ meals, and food banks. As we develop our next steps, we will continue to listen to and benefit from the expertise of scientists, health care professionals, public health officials, and community leaders so that we can craft the most effective, evidence-based response.

Our nation — our great nation — has faced crises before and every time, thanks to the courage and optimism, patriotism, and perseverance of the American people, we have prevailed. Now, working together, we will once again prevail and we will come out stronger than before. God bless you and God bless America. Thank you.

Pelosi, N. P. [CBS News]. (2020, March 13). Pelosi says the most important parts of coronavirus bill are "testing, testing, testing" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqKyMsliTnQ]. Retrieved on March 13, 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/user/CBSNewsOnline.