WASHINGTON, D.C.–People’s Action Director George Goehl today released the following statement opposing the economic relief bill passed by the Senate this evening:
“What world are these people living in? This ‘deal’ is pathetic and totally inadequate in this crisis. Rent is due in a week for the millions of people who just lost their jobs and health coverage during a global pandemic. And we still don’t have adequate funding for testing or protective equipment to keep people safe. Physical distancing saves lives, but a Senate this out of touch with real people will ruin them.
“Instead of playing small ball, Congress should immediately pass Rep. Omar’s bill to cancel rent and mortgage payments for the duration of the crisis; Rep. Jayapal’s bill to provide emergency health care coverage during the pandemic; and Reps. Jayapal’s and Tlaib’s bill to provide $2,000 cash assistance to every person, every month, for the duration of the crisis.
“The House must stand up to Republicans and reject this bill. We stand behind progressive champions in Congress who have expressed their opposition. The House must pass a People’s Bailout with the funds to meet the actual needs of people in crisis. Democrats must seize this opportunity to show people on the front lines of this pandemic that they will stand with them.”
People’s Action released a set of principles for a true People’s Bailout package, which are available here: https://peoplesaction.org/peoples-bailout/
About People’s Action
People’s Action is a national network of 40 state and local grassroots, power-building organizations united in fighting for justice. Our organization recently released a vision for a national Homes Guarantee that has already prompted major legislation from champions including U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib. We operate the largest progressive rural organizing project in the country. Prior to endorsing a candidate for president, we completed a national forum series that included Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, and Andrew Yang. The Nation called our Iowa forum the “most in-depth, people-powered forum” of the 2020 cycle.”
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Contact: Derrick Crowe, d.crowe@peoplesaction.org, 512.516.5067