Rep. Gabbard Votes for Emergency Coronavirus Funding for Families and Workers

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) on Friday voted to pass HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which will provide emergency relief to families and workers across America who are impacted by the global coronavirus pandemic.

“In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, this emergency funding package will begin to provide relief to working Americans and their families across the country so they can focus on their health and well-being,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

She continued saying, “This bill helps make sure testing is accessible and free for all, which is long overdue in containing the virus, funds paid sick leave, unemployment insurance, food for seniors and more. While today’s bill is an important step forward, I will continue to work toward bringing about innovative solutions like my emergency Universal Basic Payment plan which will provide immediate, direct assistance for the American people to stay focused on the health and wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones.”

Background: HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act will:

• provide free testing for COVID-19
• two weeks of paid sick leave
• up to three months paid family and medical leave
• unemployment insurance for furloughed workers
• includes provisions to provide food security for those who rely on food stamps, student meals, senior nutrition plans, and food banks
• increase federal Medicaid funds for local, state, tribal and territorial governments and health systems

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard introduced H.Res. 897, a resolution that would provide an emergency non-taxable Universal Basic Payment of $1,000 per month to all adult Americans until COVID-19 no longer presents a public health emergency. The Universal Basic Payment will be a temporary economic stimulus package to empower Americans directly and immediately.

She previously voted to pass legislation that will provide emergency funds to address the novel coronavirus. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has called on the Trump Administration to suspend flights from South Korea and Japan given the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in these countries, until they can guarantee all passengers will be tested prior to boarding flights to the United States.

In order to ensure that any treatment developed for COVID-19 is accessible and affordable, Rep. Gabbard joined a letter to President Trump demanding that pharmaceutical companies are not issued exclusive licenses for the production of such treatments or capitalize on drugs that have been funded by taxpayer dollars.

Rep. Gabbard also wrote to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar calling for clear guidelines for state and local governments to receive federal reimbursement for the costs they are incurring as part of their response to this public health crisis.