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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'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
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. 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'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
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
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
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
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
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'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.
