John,

Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell are holding pandemic relief hostage for one of their long-held goals: defunding Social Security.

In the Senate’s soon-to-be released COVID-19 relief bill, they’re cooking up a payroll tax cut that’s another handout to corporations that leaves out the people who need aid the most—millions of people who have lost their jobs during the pandemic.

A payroll tax cut hands $0 to the unemployed, but would cost Social Security $840 billion in funding over nine months—with a huge amount going to businesses who have already gotten many billions in aid.

Their counterproductive "aid package," which would likely be the last round of COVID-19 relief prior to November's election (or longer), would also reduce the $600 in additional unemployment benefits that are being received by families who are struggling to pay for rent, utilities, food and medicine.

We will not allow the U.S. Senate to defund Social Security while cutting cash aid to people and families in need. Donate to CHN today to fight against Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump's disastrous idea for the next round of COVID-19 relief.

But, defunding Social Security and cutting enhanced unemployment benefits aren’t the only threats being made by Trump and Senate Republicans.

Instead of developing reasonable, science-based guidance for states to follow to reopen schools in a methodical way, this McConnell-Trump bill would simply demand schools open, ignoring the Centers for Disease Control recommendations and ignoring the safety of our children, teachers, and communities. Just look at this headline from the Washington Post:¹

What we need is a comprehensive relief package that ensures people have food, are not evicted if they fail to cover the rent, and provides critical aid to states to prevent local services from being slashed.

If you can, chip in $5 or more today to CHN to fight against Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump's disastrous idea for the next round of pandemic relief.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your secure donation will go through immediately:

Thank you for all you do to fight for struggling families, the poor and the vulnerable during this challenging time.

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs