WASHINGTON – The top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement signaling support for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act:

“After President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency today and market-boosting press conference, House Republicans are taking additional steps to provide support to working families.

“The emergency bill before the House tonight contains serious flaws that could have significantly harmed small businesses and their workers. I have spoken directly with President Trump – a champion of small business – who agrees that America’s small businesses need flexibility and cash flow when providing emergency leave for workers, so they can operate and survive during this economic challenge.

“In order to help small businesses and their workers, President Trump is directing the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure that small businesses have the flexibility to provide paid leave for their employees without having to be concerned about cash flow – and ensure they retain the workers they need to operate and keep serving their customers and communities. This is vital to America’s economic rebound.   

“I will be supporting this bill because it achieves the President’s goal of free testing and helps working Americans who are ill, quarantined, or caring for others due to coronavirus, by providing a tax credit to employers.

“During negotiations, Republicans also successfully removed a burdensome new entitlement mandate that would have harmed Main Street America while creating new strains on the Social Security Administration, potentially harming seniors and those with disabilities.

“While more needs to be done to address the economic challenges our nation faces to ensure a strong economic rebound, I urge my fellow colleagues to support President Trump and working families by passing this bill.”