John,
Thanks to you, Congress just passed critical protections for those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic including increased direct payments to individuals and families and an expansion of unemployment insurance.
However, hidden in this massive piece of legislation are also bailouts and tax giveaways to huge corporations and the rich―including for real-estate investors―worth $170 billion over ten years.
In order to see the American people through a health crisis that could lead to the next economic recession, we must fight to put people over corporate profits.
This includes addressing these problems from the legislation which was just passed, including:
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Both the aid to the unemployed and the one-time payments have disappointing limits that without further change will mean some of the lowest-income people will not get help;
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Roughly 30 million people who normally would not have to file tax returns will now have to file in order to receive federal aid. Without a major outreach campaign, many will not be aware of this requirement, especially during a time of quarantine. Congress should instead have payments added to the regular Social Security, SSI or other benefits that seniors, people with disabilities and low-income people rely on.
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Congress must increase maximum SNAP benefits, which are a fast and effective way of injecting money into the economy.
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The CARES bill strengthens the ability of health care providers to respond to COVID-19. But we have to do more. From free medical treatment to protection against eviction to child care and education, we need to invest in holding the essentials together so we can climb out of this disaster.
A lot of people are hurting right now. And that’s exactly who we’re fighting for.
If you’re able to, please donate to the Coalition on Human Needs to demand critical protections for our most vulnerable communities including workers who have been furloughed or laid off, seniors, the homeless, incarcerated people, health care workers and other frontline workers who are putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the sick and at risk.
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Thank you for fighting for the needs of our communities and for demanding Congress put people over corporate profits.
Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs
Coalition on Human Needs
www.chn.org
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