John,

Yesterday, Deborah wrote to you about stunning new household data on food and housing insecurity being felt by millions of people throughout our country as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the midst of this economic pain and uncertainty, Mitch McConnell refuses to put forward legislation that meets the urgency of the moment.

The next two weeks will be critical to passing a real pandemic relief bill that puts money directly into the pockets of those most in need. If the Senate fails to act this month, it will delay any relevant action until after Election Day—and very likely until January. Every day that passes, more families slip closer to economic disaster.

Donate to CHN today to fight for a COVID-19 relief bill that addresses hunger, rental assistance, aid to schools and local and state governments, and so much more.

Thank you for all that you do for vulnerable people and families during the pandemic and beyond.

Nicolai Haddal
Field Coordinator, Coalition on Human Needs

--DEBORAH'S EMAIL--

John,

Since the pandemic began, massive numbers of people have lost jobs, seen incomes fall, lost health insurance, and are struggling to pay their bills and keep their families fed.

Take a look at this stunning new data from the Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey that reveals how millions of people throughout the United States are falling through the cracks.¹

• 22 million people are in households that don't have enough to eat;
• At least 14% of households are behind on rent;
• 45% of adults live in households that have lost income from work—disproportionately impacting people of color: nearly 6 in 10 Latinx households and more than half of Black households have lost income.
• 76 million adults—one-third of all American households—said in the past week they found it somewhat or very difficult to pay their usual household bills.

And while we’re fighting to protect millions of vulnerable people and families, Mitch McConnell has introduced an anemic COVID-19 relief package only 1/6th the size of what the House’s HEROES Act would provide. It did not get the votes needed to pass it in the Senate, because instead of serious negotiations it simply gave the Republican members the chance to say they voted for something. So they voted for something bad.

The Republican plan provides no additional stimulus checks to people and families, offers a 50 percent cut to the now expired $600 weekly boost in enhanced unemployed benefits, allocates $0 for food assistance or rental assistance, minimal aid to schools (and even less for school systems that do not believe it is safe to have in-person learning now), and nothing for state and local governments facing lay-offs and service cuts.

The McConnell bill has no funding for child nutrition programs, but it does have $20 billion in aid for agriculture interests. It has grossly inadequate education funding, but includes tax breaks for donations to fund private schools. It gives corporations immunity from coronavirus lawsuits, but still does not require safety standards to protect workers.  

We’re fighting back, demanding a pandemic response that meets the urgency of the moment. Donate $5 or more to CHN today to fight for vulnerable people and families.

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While Senate Leader McConnell seems unconcerned for the millions of people his bill leaves behind, we won’t stop fighting for a pandemic response that protects the most vulnerable in our communities—those battling hunger, homlessness, and loss of income due to the pandemic.

Donate to CHN today to demand a pandemic response that meets the urgency of the moment.

Thank you for all you do during this difficult time to fight for the needs of the vulnerable, the sick, and the poor.

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs