John,
Today, the people prevailed when Congress voted on a $2 trillion package that delivers direct relief to healthcare workers on the frontlines of this crisis and billions of dollars in aid for the American people.
This was possible because of your efforts and actions. In the midst of this global pandemic, you called upon Members of Congress and urged them to bailout people - not corporations.
The sweeping legislation includes the following provisions:
- Fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines - The bill would provide $150 billion to hospitals, protective gear for healthcare workers, and funding for vaccines.
- Protects Vulnerable Americans - In this time of economic crisis, the bill orders a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures and allocates billions of dollars for programs such as SNAP and the Child Nutrition Program.
- Protecting small businesses in this time of crisis - The bill provides small business disaster loans, debt relief and loans to cover payroll, rent and mortgages in this crisis.
- Stopping bailouts for the oil industry - The bill eliminated a $3 billion bailout that would delay any sale of oil from the strategic petroleum reserve to protect taxpayers when oil prices are at an all time low.
Read 350.org’s press statement on the passage of the stimulus bill here.
While there were some major victories for working people and healthcare workers in this package, the stimulus fell short. It did not provide necessary sick leave for families caring for loved ones or families left without childcare. It did not include protections against utility and water cut-offs. But most importantly, it did not provide clear measures to address one of the biggest crises we face - the climate crisis.
Unlike our tone deaf President - who believes that we will recover from this pandemic in April - there is a long road to recovery ahead. We must continue to pressure our leaders to bailout people, not corporations and Big Oil. This bill is a first step to providing the relief that people across our country need during this pandemic, but it is just that - a first step.
We will keep fighting to ensure that the next bailout includes even more provisions for our people and our frontline healthcare workers. We will also push for investments in a Green New Deal, that will spur economic recovery and help us move out from this travesty. I will keep on working towards a better future for all. And based on what I've seen from this fight, I know you will too.
Until we win,
Brooke Harper
