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As you know, we are not only in the midst of a major pandemic, we also face a catastrophic economic meltdown.

During the last five weeks alone, over 26 million Americans have applied for unemployment insurance — a record breaking number. And, because of our cruel and dysfunctional health care system, many of these workers are also losing their health care coverage.

In the midst of this unprecedented crisis we need a bold and unprecedented response.

That is why I am introducing the Paycheck Security Act to ensure that all workers continue to receive their paychecks and benefits during this pandemic. This bill is being co-sponsored by Senators Warner, Jones, Warren, Klobuchar and Blumenthal.

A recent relief package passed by Congress included more than $25 billion in grants to the airlines. Those grants will guarantee that all airline industry workers can continue to receive their full paycheck and benefits through September.

Now it is time to expand that program to cover all workers in America whose job has been negatively impacted by the health and economic crisis.

That is what the Paycheck Security Act will do, and today I am asking for your support:

Please add your name to tell the Senate to pass the Paycheck Security Act as part of the next coronavirus relief package.

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It is imperative that we protect workers during this crisis, and one of the best ways to do that is to ensure they can continue to have income and health care.

Here is how the Paycheck Security Act will work:

- It will offer grants to affected businesses and non-profit organizations to cover up to $90,000 in pay for each furloughed or laid off employee, plus benefits.

- It will also provide support to cover a portion of business operating costs including rent, utilities, insurance policies, and maintenance.

- The program will remain active until the economic and public health crisis is resolved.

- Companies receiving these grants must commit to not cut the pay and benefits of rank-and-file workers and offer to bring back any workers laid off since February 1st.

- A single, centralized program established through the Paycheck Security Act will be the simplest way to prevent tens of millions of people from losing their jobs and their health insurance.

Now more than ever, working people should not have to worry about filing for unemployment, finding new health care, or losing their connection to their employer. By keeping their employees on payroll, businesses and organizations can allow them to use this time to upgrade their skills and attend online trainings until they are able to fully return to work. Employees can also coordinate with their team to plan for when they will be ready to re-open.

Continuing to provide pay and benefits is not only the right thing to do for workers — it is also in the best interest of the business. Small businesses are the heart and soul of communities across the country, and allowing them to go under as a result of this pandemic will cause lasting damage that will take years to overcome. With the Paycheck Security Act, businesses can remain in operation and be prepared to re-open when it is safe to do so.

Countries including Germany, France, Norway, Denmark and the U.K. have all successfully adopted similar programs. Now it is time for the U.S. to join them.

Add your name to our petition urging the Senate to pass the Paycheck Security Act to cover pay and benefits for workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

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This is not a partisan issue. Republicans, Democrats, and Independents agree that Congress must act to keep people on payroll and fully restore wages and benefits for all rank-and-file workers for as long as this pandemic lasts.

Thank you for adding your name in support of the Paycheck Security Act.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

ADD YOUR NAME

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