ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 167
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED MARCH 23, 2020
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex)
Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress to pass “Families First Coronavirus Response Act.”
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging Congress to pass the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act.”
Whereas, On March 11, 2020, U.S. Representative Nita M. Lowey sponsored H.R. 6201, cited as the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” and co-sponsored by Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), and Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN); and
Whereas, The legislation provides paid leave, establishes free coronavirus testing, supports strong unemployment benefits, expands food assistance for vulnerable children and families, protects frontline health workers, and provides additional funding to states for the ongoing economic consequences of the pandemic, among other provisions; and
Whereas, Chairwoman Lowey notes that “The coronavirus has officially reached a pandemic level, with a rising death toll and deepening impacts on workers and families in communities across the United States. While the $8.3 billion coronavirus supplemental [appropriation] we enacted into law was a crucial step that stabilized our public health system, more support for working families is clearly needed. House Democrats’ new legislation puts working families first by providing new resources and more protections as our country faces this public health emergency”; and
Whereas, Chairman Scott notes that “The spread of COVID-19 will present increasingly severe challenges for students, workers, and families across the country. We must deliver a bold and targeted response to support communities through this public health crisis. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides our constituents the health coverage, food assistance, and financial support they need to cope with the widespread consequences of this pandemic. This legislation reflects our responsibility to stand with the American people as we confront this national emergency”; and
Whereas, Chairman Pallone notes that “Around the nation, Americans are justifiably concerned about their health and the health of their families. With this legislation, we are ensuring that any American who thinks they may be infected with the virus can be tested without having to worry about paying for the costs of the test or the doctor visit. This will give people financial peace of mind if they believe they may have the virus and need to be tested”; and
Whereas,
Chairman Peterson notes that “The provisions in this bill for feeding programs
like CR-SNAP will help make sure kids, the elderly, and the working poor have
the opportunity to get the food they need in the event of a sustained disruption
to their normal routines”; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The United States Congress is urged to pass H.R. 6201, cited as the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” to bolster the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and address the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans’ personal safety and financial security.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the United States and every member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution urges Congress to pass H.R. 6201, cited as the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” to bolster the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and address the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans’ personal safety and financial security. The legislation provides paid leave, establishes free coronavirus testing, supports strong unemployment benefits, expands food assistance for vulnerable children and families, protects frontline health workers, and provides additional funding to states for the ongoing economic consequences of the pandemic, among other provisions.