Hello all,
We are asking for your help again in reaching out to Senator Casey and Senator Toomey. Our message cannot be clearer: Congress MUST act quickly to pass a COVID-19 emergency relief package. Millions of families have lost their jobs and can’t afford their rent, food, and health care. People need real help NOW in order weather this crisis. Congress already irresponsibly left town in August for weeks while families continued to struggle. We must insist they don't do it again. Today (9/16) is a national day of action. We need you to call Senator Casey at: (202) 224-6324 and Senator Toomey at (202) 224-4254 (If you're outside of PA, call 888-496-3502 twice to reach both of your Senators.) Here's what you should say: "I am calling to urge the Senator to pass a comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill that protects Pennsylvanians - and our communities - from economic disaster. Any relief package must include: SNAP benefit boosts; adequate support for the unemployed; aid to state and local governments; and an extension of Pandemic EBT through 2021.” If you are on social media, also remember to tag them on social media with your message: @SenToomey, @SenBobCasey, and use #COVIDrelief, #BoostSNAPNow, and #PEBT. (If you are outside of PA, you can find their Twitter handles here). Last Thursday (9/10), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) failed to advance an inadequate, “skinny” COVID relief bill. The next two weeks are critical to passing a real, comprehensive pandemic relief bill that directly supports families and individuals who are most in need right now. If Congress fails to pass a bill before adjourning at the end of the month, no relief will occur until after Election Day—and very likely until January. Each day that passes, more families, children, businesses, and more, slip further away from being able to bounce back from economic disaster. Right now we know: - Millions of kids aren’t getting enough to eat.
- Millions of families are behind on rent and could lose their homes.
- Our economy is still down more than 11 million jobs compared to before the pandemic and unemployment benefits have been cut in half.
- States are laying off workers and cutting education, health care and other critical services, harmful cuts which will only get worse without more federal aid.
By now Congress and most of you know the SNAP boosts that are needed. They are: - Boost SNAP maximum benefits by 15 percent, which would help all SNAP households;
- Increase the minimum monthly SNAP benefit from $16 to $30; and
- Suspend SNAP time limits or administrative rule changes that would cut benefits.
We thank the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and the Coalition on Human Needs for the resources to support this day of action. With Gratitude,  Kathy Fisher Policy Director The Coalition Against Hunger | |
