House passes bill to expand food programs for families impacted by COVID-19

The House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act this weekend. The measure will provide funding to expand food programs such as SNAP during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It includes the Pandemic EBT Act that was introduced last week, which extends SNAP benefits to families with children who are facing school closures. 

If signed into law, Families First will dedicated $1 billion to expand food assistance for children and their families during the pandemic through SNAP, WIC and the emergency food assistance program. The legislation also provides free coronavirus testing as well as emergency paid sick live for workers at companies with fewer than 500 employees.

The bipartisan bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.