WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R.748). This bill next goes to the President who has promised to sign it into law.

The House passed the legislation by voice vote, signaling the House’s strong support to get assistance to Americans suffering from the medical and economic hardships of the global COVID 19 pandemic.

The $2 trillion bill provides tax rebates to most Americans; critical loans to businesses to keep them solvent and keep as many people employed as possible; expanded unemployment insurance for the millions of Americans whose jobs have been put on hold due to coronavirus; and further support to state and local governments to fund the medical response to the outbreak.

Speaking from the House Floor, Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH) urged his colleagues to pass the bill:

“I don’t think anyone is happy about the present situation. The free market did not close the economy; governments chose that response to an exceptional risk to public health. The various governments need to make sure individuals, families, businesses affected by these unprecedented decisions remain solvent and that as many as possible remain employed. Like any war, the enemy votes too, but the sooner we can get lower-risk Americans back to work, the safer most people will feel. In the COVID 19 response, we must defend the values and way of life that make America the land of opportunity.”