Dear Friend,

33,404 Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 400 have
died so far.^1 Meanwhile, an estimated 875,000 people filed for
unemployment last week—the most in any week in history.^2

But instead of helping the people he was elected to represent, here is
what Senate Mitch McConnell is trying to pass:^3

* A half-trillion-dollar slush fund for Trump to give to corporate CEOs
with no strings attached
* Zero protections to stop corporations from firing workers while
pocketing stimulus money
* A “taxpayer relief” payout that does nothing to support the poorest
and most vulnerable of us
* Zero direct action to put more coronavirus tests in the hands of
hospitals and providers

We need to activate grassroots energy like never before if we are going to
stop this immoral bailout of the 1%. Usually, in a fight like this, we’d
take to the streets and stage sit-ins in Congress to make the will of the
people known. But we can’t do that now, so we have to rely on our digital
tools, like social media, calls and emails to Congress, and more to stop
billion-dollar corporations from winning a $2 trillion payout for
themselves.

[ [link removed] ]We have to let McConnell and the rest of the GOP know we won’t stand
for a stimulus package that leaves the 99% behind. Will you donate to help
call on the Senate to pass a fair stimulus bill that supports the people?

There is no question that America is hurting while we practice social
distancing.

Hospitals are so short on supplies that they’re asking people to sew
homemade masks so doctors and nurses can avoid getting sick. We don’t have
the tests needed to get a grasp on how far the coronavirus has spread
through the country.^4

If small businesses don’t get help, they may not be able to reopen when
the pandemic passes. People who have been laid off still have to pay rent
and utility bills. Parents who can work from home are having to take
reduced hours so they can homeschool the 54 million kids who are out of
school.

But Mitch McConnell’s bill doesn’t help the average person. Instead, the
bill looks to support billion-dollar industries, like airlines, that have
a history of using stimulus money for stock buybacks, not worker
salaries.^5

It’s a disgrace. But if we don’t fight against it now, this terrible
bailout for billionaires will pass.

There is another way: The House of Representatives has an alternative bill
with:

* Restrictions on firing workers and prohibition on stock buybacks for
businesses that take stimulus money
* Emergency funds to support hospitals and health-care workers so they
can get much-needed supplies, including coronavirus tests
* Increase in funding for the SNAP program to address food insecurity
* A tax advance for families and guaranteed paid leave for those who are
sick or taking care of family members who are ill
* Provisions to protect our ability to vote in the upcoming election

So many lives are at stake—we have to do everything possible to win a
stimulus package that supports the people.

[ [link removed] ]Will you donate to Demand Progress now and help pass a coronavirus
stimulus package that supports us through this pandemic?

Thanks for standing with us.

Robert Cruickshank,
Demand Progress

[ [link removed] ]DONATE

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Cases in U.S.,"
[ [link removed] ]accessed March 24, 2020
2. The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. Layoffs Likely Surged to Unprecedented
Level This Past Week," [ [link removed] ]March 20, 2020
3. Common Dreams, "Senate Democrats Applauded for Again Stopping GOP
'Corporate Bailout That Leaves Americans Behind'," [ [link removed] ]March 23, 2020
4. CNN, "People around the country are sewing masks. And some hospitals,
facing dire shortage, welcome them," [ [link removed] ]March 24, 2020
5. Common Dreams, "Senate Democrats Applauded for Again Stopping GOP
'Corporate Bailout That Leaves Americans Behind'," [ [link removed] ]March 23, 2020
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