Friend,

COVID-19 cases are surging across the country at an alarming rate, including in our home state of Washington. And much of the relief from the CARES Act has already been exhausted or is set to expire on New Year's Eve.

It was never the responsibility of the American people to figure out this global pandemic on their own. Leaders on both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C. have an obligation to step up.

The House majority passed a historic and essential relief package in May. It's been six months, and the American people are still waiting for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring this legislation to a vote. With the deadline on relief looming ahead, we need the Senate to act NOW.

Will you join me in calling on McConnell to STOP playing partisan games and pass relief? We need to make our voices heard and send a message that we demand immediate action now »

I want to be clear: Our national response to COVID-19 cannot, and should not, be about politics. I am willing to work with any party, anytime, anywhere to get a relief package passed — for our small business owners, for frontline workers, for our kids, and for the millions of people facing homelessness, food insecurity, or bankruptcy.

We're seeing the impact of the current D.C. stalemate in our own backyard. The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) was facing $12 million in cuts, including 45 layoffs, due to a budget deficit stemming from COVID-19 impacts. Congress should step up so those cuts don't happen.

And it's not just TFD. Small businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Hospitals, including our rural hospitals, are facing maximum capacity. Tribal communities are facing higher rates of COVID-19 as cases rise across the nation.

The safety, health, and well-being of our public should remain our top priority. That's why I'm proudly working alongside Republicans and Democrats to make sure we get our economy and our country back on track. If you're with me, please sign our petition right now demanding McConnell take much-needed action »

It's an honor to represent you,

Derek