From the Coalition on Human Needs
Despite Donald Trump's insistence that the COVID-19 pandemic is overblown and despite his insistence in recent days that “the end of the pandemic is in sight,” the president is now facing his own new reality: he, personally, has COVID-19. Obviously, this pandemic is far from over—and the need for massive amounts of federal aid to help tens of millions of struggling families hasn't ended either. The House of Representatives passed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill Thursday. The Senate must quickly consider and pass this critical legislation. For nearly five months, Mitch McConnell and Senate leadership refused to consider the House-passed $3.4 trillion Heroes Act. This scaled-back version gives the Senate another chance. A chance to do what is right for the American people, including funding desperately needed rental assistance and an infusion of state and local aid to support our schools and communities during the pandemic. The new House legislation provides another round of $1,200-per-adult tax rebates (plus $500 for all dependents), a resumption of expired unemployment benefits, and critical funds for schools, health care and state and local governments. This legislative package also includes critical funding to safeguard our elections and protects the integrity of the census. The $2.2 trillion measure, while not as robust as the HEROES Act, still delivers essential aid: rental assistance, direct assistance to the U.S. Postal Service, aid to homeowners, direct tax rebates and child credits targeted to families with low incomes, funding for child care, and assistance for struggling families to pay for heating and water bills. The time is now! More negotiations will be going on this weekend. Only by combining our voices can we compel Senate leadership to listen to the needs of the American people. Let's flood Senate offices with letters making clear they must vote to pass meaningful legislation that would help millions of people who are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.