Hello Friends,
We are living in unprecedented and difficult times. The coronavirus has taken an immense personal, health and economic toll on our communities, and I extend my thoughts to each of you and your loved ones during this challenging period for our nation.
Over 1.5 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19â the most in the world. Weâve lost over 90,000 Americans in two and a-half months, and to put that in perspective, it's more than we lost throughout the entire Vietnam War. We are at 14.7 percent unemployment, which is the highest since the Great Depression, and 33 million have applied for unemployment.
Unprecedented times call for an unprecedented response.
We know economic activity can only fully return when people know it's safe. And the Senate has it in our power to protect Americansâ lives and their livelihoods.
Congress has passed 4 relief packages, totaling almost $3 trillion dollars. This has been a big accomplishment, but we have much more to doâ which is why it makes no sense that Senate Republican leadership has stopped us from doing any more work on this.
We must:
Help state, Tribal and local governments preserve essential public services.
Protect frontline health workers with top notch protective equipment and continue to stabilize our healthcare system.
Make sure essential workers get a boost in pay.
Guarantee unemployment and direct payments as long as this crisis lasts.
Invest in a stimulus package that puts people to work and rebuilds communities.
Expand national service so young workers have job options
Increase food security for working families and the recently unemployed.
Support small businesses and nonprofits.
Back researchers as they pursue a vaccine.
Demand that the president establish and enact a national testing strategy to enable safe economic and social activity.
These are my priorities. We need to act fast, and I promise you I am doing everything in my power to make the progress we need. I wish you and your families health and comfort during these difficult times, and hope you will reach out to my offices if we can help you.
Best Wishes,
Tom Udall
United States Senator
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Photo of poppies in New Mexico's bootheel
by DiAnn Matteson from Rodeo
