Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Latest action (19 Mar 2020): Engrossment Correction
What this bill does
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was an emergency response bill enacted in March 2020 to address the early COVID-19 pandemic. It provides supplemental funding across several federal agencies—including the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs—for purposes such as nutrition assistance programs (WIC, emergency food assistance), COVID-19-related health services, and support for uninsured individuals seeking testing or treatment. It also grants the Department of Agriculture waiver authority to modify school meal, child nutrition, and WIC program requirements during COVID-19-related school closures and public health emergencies, allowing states more flexibility in delivering food assistance to affected households.
The bill affects a broad range of groups: low-income families and children who rely on school meals or WIC benefits, uninsured individuals needing COVID-19 testing or care, Native American communities, residents of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, veterans receiving VA health services, and state and local governments administering nutrition and public health programs. It also includes provisions (in other divisions not detailed in the excerpted text) related to emergency paid sick leave, family and medical leave, and unemployment insurance, extending protections to many workers.
The bill was introduced on March 11, 2020, and moved quickly through Congress, receiving final approval and being signed into law by the President on March 18, 2020. No further congressional action is required, as the Act is already in effect.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak by providing paid sick leave, tax credits, and free COVID-19 testing; expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits; and increasing Medicaid funding.
DIVISION A--SECOND CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020
Second Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020
This division provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations for federal agencies to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The supplemental appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
This title provides appropriations to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) for
Timeline
19 Mar 2020
Engrossment Correction
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6201 do?
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was an emergency response bill enacted in March 2020 to address the early COVID-19 pandemic. It provides supplemental funding across several federal agencies—including the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Veterans Affairs—for purposes such as nutrition assistance programs (WIC, emergency food assistance), COVID-19-related health services, and support for uninsured individuals seeking testing or treatment. It also grants the Department of Agriculture waiver authority to modify school meal, child nutrition, and WIC program requirements during COVID-19-related school closures and public health emergencies, allowing states more flexibility in delivering food assistance to affected households. The bill affects a broad range of groups: low-income families and children who rely on school meals or WIC benefits, uninsured individuals needing COVID-19 testing or care, Native American communities, residents of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, veterans receiving VA health services, and state and local governments administering nutrition and public health programs. It also includes provisions (in other divisions not detailed in the excerpted text) related to emergency paid sick leave, family and medical leave, and unemployment insurance, extending protections to many workers. The bill was introduced on March 11, 2020, and moved quickly through Congress, receiving final approval and being signed into law by the President on March 18, 2020. No further congressional action is required, as the Act is already in effect.
- Has H.R. 6201 become law?
- Yes. H.R. 6201 has been enacted. Status last updated 19 Mar 2020.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6201?
- H.R. 6201 was sponsored by Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (D-NY), with 6 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6201?
- Engrossment Correction (19 Mar 2020).
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