Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (10) of the type for moving between an upright seating position and a forwardly folded position. The assembly (10) includes a base member (12) secured to the vehicle floor. Front (20) and rear (22) support brackets extend upwardly from the base member (12) and include tabs (24) for supporting a seat (56). A cross member (28) is pivotally connected to the base member (12) and front support bracket (20). The cross member (28) reacts in tension to a seating load and remains in tension in the event of an inertia or other force applied to the assembly (10) in the forward direction. When in the forwardly folded position, the cross member (28) nests within the front support bracket (20) and base member (12), and the rear support bracket (22) overlies a portion of the base member (12).