Blumenthal Welcomes Senate Approval of Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Calls for Additional Steps to Provide Frontline Relief

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate approved the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The legislation, approved by the House of Representatives on Saturday, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“After this approval – finally – vital emergency support will go to families and businesses understandably fearful about their lives and livelihoods,” Blumenthal said. “This bill puts first families, workers, and small businesses. It expands paid sick leave and unemployment insurance, offers no-cost testing for patients, and protects access to nutrition programs for struggling families.”

“Our next step, already underway, must be immediate relief to families struggling to pay rent or for groceries, workers out of jobs, and small businesses possibly closing their doors. People need help – some facing potentially life or death decisions – and they need it now. Only swift, strong action can help prevent lasting damage from this crisis.”

“The truth is that we cannot overcome the economic crisis if we fail first to stop the spread of this deadly disease. Some are talking about sweetheart industry bailouts when we should be focusing on building hospital capacity and fully funded sick leave.”

On Monday, Blumenthal spoke on the Senate Floor after returning to Washington, DC from Connecticut. “The failure to act is unconscionable and inconceivable given the magnitude of the challenge, but also given the resolute and resilient spirit that I have seen across Connecticut – whether it's with Americares donating to people who need it, supplies and other kinds of necessities, or the spirit of giving I've seen among faith leaders and public officials, the courage of police and firefighters and emergency responders and the dedication of health care providers, whether it's in hospitals or clinics like Charter Oak in Hartford,” Blumenthal said on the Senate Floor. The full video of Blumenthal’s remarks is available for download here.

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