The Human Needs Report: Oct. 26, 2020

View the complete report here (HTML) or here (PDF).

Dear John,

CHN just released another edition of the Human Needs Report. Read on for the latest on the possibility of another COVID-19 response package, continued work on the 2020 Census, a victory for SNAP recipients, and more.    

In This Edition

COVID Relief Package Remains Elusive
While millions of Americans continue to suffer, the possibility of passing another relief bill in Congress before the election looks unlikely. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin continued talks throughout the week last week, but a deal has not yet been announced. Vital assistance for workers, renters, and small businesses has already expired, with more measures set to expire on Dec. 31. READ MORE »

Senate Moves to Confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett; Hot-button Issues Await
The final vote to confirm Judge Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to come on the evening of Monday, Oct. 26. Barrett’s elevation comes as the nine justices are expected to consider a number hot-button issues, including election-related challenges, the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, the 2020 Census, LGBTQ rights, immigration reform, and many others. READ MORE »

2020 Census Count Ends, but Advocates' Work Continues
While a Supreme Court decision allowed the Trump Administration to end the 2020 Census count on Oct. 15, advocates’ work on the important decennial count continues. The Census Bureau is currently scheduled to deliver apportionment counts for congressional seats to the President by Dec. 31. However, advocates and a bipartisan group of members of Congress agree that, given the delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline should be extended to minimize harmful undercounts. READ MORE »

In Blistering Ruling, U.S. District Judge Strikes Trump Administration's Proposed SNAP Cuts
A U.S. District Court struck down an effort by the Trump Administration that could have cut SNAP benefits for 700,000 or more jobless Americans. The proposal was one of three being pushed by the Administration that would result in cuts to SNAP; the other proposals are still pending. READ MORE »

Advocates Oppose Proposed Rule that Could Harm Millions of Workers
Advocates have until 11:59pm on Oct. 26 to urge the Labor Department to reject a proposed change that would make it easier for employers to classify workers as independent contractors instead of employees, allowing them to pay subminimum wages, avoid overtime pay, and undermine other labor protections. Millions of workers could be affected. The Trump Administration is also preparing to finalize numerous other regulatory changes before Jan. 20. READ MORE »