Friend,

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats haven’t stopped fighting for economic relief to help us all weather the coronavirus pandemic. Last night, the House of Representatives again voted to pass a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package—an updated version of the HEROES Act—that would help fund our states and schools, preserve the U.S. Postal Service, save jobs, help struggling families, protect frontline workers and more.

It’s been more than four months since the House passed the original HEROES Act, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump refused to act. They let unemployment benefits run out. They let more layoffs happen. They left schools, educators, parents and students on their own to figure out how to get school started this year.

Once again, it’s up to the Republican-held Senate to do something. Email your senators right now. Tell them they can’t wait any longer.

And while Trump and McConnell find every excuse not to help Americans who have suffered from COVID-19 and its consequences, they are moving at breakneck speed to confirm a Supreme Court justice to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The public wants the next president to choose the next justice, but Trump and McConnell are making a power play, ramming a lifetime appointment of a justice through the process, while telling families their needs can wait.  

The priorities of the president and the GOP-led Senate are way off.

While we hope the president and first lady recover, perhaps now that Trump has gotten the virus, he will see what is obvious: We must prioritize COVID-19 relief aid now. Write to your senators and tell them to vote on the HEROES Act.

This new bill provides:

• $436 billion to assist state, local, territorial and tribal governments to pay vital workers, like the first responders and healthcare workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs.
• $182 billion for K-12 schools, nearly $39 billion for postsecondary education, and $57 billion to support child care for families. This is a significant increase over the original HEROES bill, reflecting that the crisis has gotten worse for schools since May.
• $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures, so every American can access free coronavirus treatment.
• $15 billion to expand internet service and provide connected devices to families, students and libraries, especially in rural and low-income communities.
• Healthcare access for unemployed workers, and emergency and family sick leave through February 2021.
• A requirement that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issue a strong, enforceable standard for all workplaces to develop and implement infection-control plans based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expertise.
• A restoration of the weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through January 2021.
• An increase to the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit, and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
• New resources to ensure safe elections and an accurate census, and to preserve the U.S. Postal Service.

It’s way past time for COVID-19 relief. Email your senators today, and tell them to pass this bill.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT president