Friend,

This week, negotiations are coming down to the wire in the House and Senate to pass emergency legislation to address the health and economic crisis caused by coronavirus.

At this very hour, negotiations are continuing, and I'm hopeful that we'll get to a deal soon, because we have no time to waste.

Democrats are standing strong on the principle that a relief package has to put working families first, not corporate bailouts with no strings attached.

Here's what I think must be in any final deal:

*
Direct
relief
to
families:
Families
should
get
immediate
checks
with
no
phase-out
for
low
income
families,
and
we
must
increase
unemployment
insurance
--
including
for
those
like
contractors,
freelancers
and
gig
economy
workers
who
traditionally
aren't
covered.
*
Help
for
healthcare
workers:
Hospitals,
doctors,
nurses,
first
responders
and
states
on
the
front
lines
need
help,
from
ventilators
and
personal
protective
equipment
like
masks
to
hospital
beds.
If
the
President
won't
use
the
Defense
Production
Act,
we
must
act.
*
Relief
for
small
businesses:
Millions
of
small
businesses
are
struggling
to
stay
afloat
and
pay
their
employees.
We
must
provide
additional
assistance,
in
grants,
no-interest
loans,
and
increased
funding
to
help
get
them
through
this
economic
crisis.
*
No
"slush
fund"
for
big
business:
Our
focus
should
be
American
families
and
small
businesses,
not
corporate
executives.
An
earlier
version
of
this
legislation
pushed
by
Senate
Majority
Leader
Mitch
McConnell
included
a
$500
billion
dollar
slush
fund
with
few
restrictions
and
few
requirements
to
avoid
layoffs,
where
states
have
to
compete
for
funds
with
big
businesses,
and
with
no
oversight,
transparency,
or
protections
for
taxpayers.
That
must
be
off
the
table.
*
Protection
of
our
democracy:
The
health
of
our
democracy
is
also
important.
All
states
should
allow
no-excuse
vote
by
mail
and
a
fifteen
day
early
voting
period
to
ensure
all
voters
are
able
to
make
their
voices
heard
during
this
crisis.

We need to be helping American families and small businesses first. I favor an approach that would have the federal government help by guaranteeing payroll so that we can avoid layoffs altogether.

If you agree, can you add your name to join me in calling on Congress to pass emergency legislation to help American families and small businesses first? [[link removed]]

ADD YOUR NAME [[link removed]]

There are other steps that may also be essential, like freezing rents and evictions, deferring mortgage payments, and suspending student debt throughout the duration of this crisis.

But I want to say this: we will get through this crisis. And America is strongest when we're acting with unity, with purpose, and when we are looking out for each other. I hope that you and your family are staying healthy, safe and sane during these trying times. And thanks for all you do.

All my best,

Adam

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