|
|
|
Dear team,
I just walked off the House Floor to cast the first two votes I’ve taken in more than a month. Both were important, and I wanted to tell you a bit more about what we voted on, and what’s coming next:
First, we voted to create a House Select Committee dedicated to overseeing the trillions in relief spending Congress has authorized to respond to the pandemic and the associated economic crash. The Committee will have its hands full, but it will be an important additional check to prevent waste or abuse, and to make sure that relief is going where it should, fairly and without regard to political considerations.
Already, serious questions are being raised about whether the funding allocated for PPE is getting to the hospitals and states most in need, or those whose governors are most willing to flatter the President. And press reports indicate that many large, well-connected businesses were moved to the front of the line by big banks for funding that was intended for small businesses, and the workers they employ. This select committee will get to the bottom of it.
Second, I voted to support an additional $480 billion in relief spending to supplement the two trillion that we passed in March in the CARES Act. As large as the CARES Act was, it wasn’t even close to enough, and that’s why we had to come back so soon to do more. With more than 45,000 deaths from the virus already, as well over 20 million unemployment claims filed, this crisis is devastating families all across the nation, and there’s still no end in sight.
As we have throughout this process, House Democrats have demanded a bill that focuses on Americans and small businesses, as well as putting in place what we need to control this virus. So over the objections of Mitch McConnell, we secured some important wins for the American people in this bill, including another $360 billion in emergency assistance for small businesses, with specific carve outs to make sure it gets to those who really need it. We obtained another $75 billion for hospitals and community health centers that are on the frontlines responding to this virus.
And we demanded and got $25 billion for a true national testing strategy, something that every expert agrees we must have to reopen the economy safely, but that the Administration has STILL failed to deliver.
But let’s be clear, we are going to need to do more. A lot more. In fact, I think we need to go big and embrace a payroll guarantee for all businesses, an approach used in Europe, and one that is swift, equitable and avoids layoffs across the board. By having the government guarantee 80% of a company’s payroll, large or small, Americans will get to keep their pay and their benefits, and position us better to make a strong economic comeback. It’s better for workers and the economy and is a solution as big as the problem itself. I’m cosponsoring a bill to put that system in place.
Here are some of my other key priorities for the next relief package, which we’re already working on:
- Funding for state, tribal and local governments: States and cities are bearing the brunt of responding to this crisis, and they can’t go on without federal support. With tax revenues crashing and so many people in desperate need of help, getting money to states and cities across the country is just commonsense. If Mitch McConnell wants to let Kentucky go bankrupt, his voters should keep that in mind. But the states and cities employ police, firefighters, healthcare workers, teachers and more — they all need our support right now.
- Protecting our democracy through vote-by-mail: Making sure every eligible voter can cast a safe and secure ballot by mail, and making it easy to do so, has to be a top priority. In Wisconsin, where Republicans fought against delaying the election and forced voters to crowd into polling places, we’ve already seen infections as a result. 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. No one should be forced to choose their health or their vote.
- Hazard pay for frontline workers: Every day, millions of Americans are still going to work, some in hospitals, others in grocery stores, or pharmacies, or as truckers, or much more. They deserve our thanks, but they also deserve to see their work and sacrifices recognized and rewarded in their paychecks.
- Health care for those who have lost their jobs or those who never had good access, food insecurity, additional aid for small businesses, saving the post office, and assistance for the homeless are other key issues that must be addressed in the next bill.
|
I continue to believe we’ll get through this, but it’s so vital that we listen to the experts, follow guidelines to stay safe and healthy, and help the most vulnerable among us. Thank you for doing your part.
Take care,
Adam