Thread by @RepSherrill, THREAD: With 5 million cases of COVID and 163K Americans dead, Executive [...]

THREAD: With 5 million cases of COVID and 163K Americans dead, Executive Orders that gut Social Security and Medicare and shift the UI cost to states don& #39;t cut it. Ignoring schools, child care, and food assistance isn’t leadership. Congress must pass a package to address:

UI: Expanded UI is “protecting the economy from the cascading effects of a sudden drop in consumer demand” from the pandemic. This keeps some of our small businesses afloat and millions out of poverty. https://www.wsj.com/articles/lapse-in-extra-unemployment-benefits-to-hurt-u-s-recovery-economists-say-11596636000">https://www.wsj.com/articles/...

Lapse in Extra Unemployment Benefits to Hurt U.S. Recovery, Economists Say

Many economists expect last week’s expiration of $600 in enhanced weekly unemployment benefits to lead to a sharp drop-off in household spending and a setback for the U.S. economy’s near-term...

https://www.wsj.com/articles/lapse-in-extra-unemployment-benefits-to-hurt-u-s-recovery-economists-say-11596636000

FOOD SECURITY: Extending UI and increased SNAP benefits will help Americans put food on the table. We’ve seen the increased need right here in #NJ11. Local organizations that provide food assistance are responding to record demand. #click=https://t.co/jmaRQdGF1m">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/04/grocery-prices-unemployed/ #click=https://t.co/jmaRQdGF1m">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...

For the unemployed, rising grocery prices strain budgets even more

The cost of groceries has been rising at the fastest pace in decades since the coronavirus pandemic seized the U.S. economy, leading to sticker shock for basic staples like beef and eggs and forcing...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/04/grocery-prices-unemployed/#click=https://t.co/jmaRQdGF1m

STATE & LOCAL AID: We need additional aid for state and local gov& #39;ts so they can respond to the pandemic in their communities. The SMART Act I introduced with @RepPeteKing, @SenatorMenendez, and @SenBillCassidy would ensure direct support, including #NJ11. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/denying-federal-aid-state-local-governments-put-neediest/story?id=72218092">https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/...

Denying federal aid to state, local governments could put neediest residents at risk

Republicans and Democrats are split over supplying more COVID-19 relief funds.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/denying-federal-aid-state-local-governments-put-neediest/story?id=72218092

PPP: The CARES Act provided 8 weeks of PPP assistance; we are now in week 19. We must give our local businesses the support they desperately need to keep their employees, pay their rent or mortgage, and be ready to get back to business when it’s safe. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/05/rubio-warns-of-surge-in-small-business-layoffs-if-ppp-money-dries-up.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/0...

Rubio warns of surge in small business layoffs if PPP money dries up

Marco Rubio warned that a new wave of small business layoffs could come if Congress does not re-up the funding to the Paycheck Protection Program in its next round of coronavirus relief spending.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/05/rubio-warns-of-surge-in-small-business-layoffs-if-ppp-money-dries-up.html

CHILD CARE: “We gave less money to the entire child care sector than we gave to one single airline, Delta.” How we move forward on the child care crisis impacts working families (esp. single moms) and businesses if workers can’t return. Must be included. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/07/23/child-care-crisis-pandemic-economy-impact-women-380412">https://www.politico.com/news/maga...

How the Child Care Crisis Will Distort the Economy for a Generation

The economic toll of the collapse of the child system will be felt for 20-30 years, says Betsey Stevenson.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/07/23/child-care-crisis-pandemic-economy-impact-women-380412

SCHOOLS: As a working mom with 4 kids, I want all our kids to go back to school, but I want it to be safe. Nearly 25% of schools don’t have a licensed nurse. Testing, contact tracing, PPE & other safety precautions are a requirement for any safe reopening. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/us/school-nurses-coronavirus-funding/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/0...

As new academic year looms, public school nurses call for more funding to battle the coronavirus

The National Association of School Nurses says on-campus medics are wholly unprepared because of a lack of funding and nurses.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/us/school-nurses-coronavirus-funding/index.html

USPS: Residents depend on the USPS for time-sensitive mail. Americans, including veterans, have seen dangerous delays in important mail, including prescriptions, tax refunds & paychecks because of slow downs. We need to pass $25 billion to save the USPS: https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/usps-delays-veterans-affairs-mail-order-prescriptions">https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/...

As veterans and VA staff report USPS prescription delays, officials say order early

The vast majority of Department of Veterans Affairs prescriptions are fulfilled by mail. But as U.S. Postal Service delays mount, more and more veterans are reporting delays in getting critical

https://connectingvets.radio.com/articles/usps-delays-veterans-affairs-mail-order-prescriptions

There are other key areas Congress needs to address, including the eviction moratorium, a second round of economic impact payments, testing, and contract tracing. A piecemeal response does not meet the urgency of the moment.

TL;DR: We need a whole of gov& #39;t response to the ongoing pandemic. The lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans are relying on it. The House passed comprehensive legislation in May. It’s time for Leader McConnell & the White House to come together and get relief to America.

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