Urge Michigan Senators to Champion the “HEROES 2” Act Adopted in U.S. House

By MUUSJN on Monday, October 5th, 2020

CALL: Senator Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221

Senator Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822

TELL THEM TO: Champion HEROES – 2 Covid Relief Bill!

TELL SENATORS PETERS & STABENOW:

  1. On October 1st, the U.S. House passed H.R. 8406, a $2.2 trillion “HEROES Act – 2” an update of the House’s $3.4 trillion COVID relief bill that can be a lifeline of support for state and local governments and provide health and economic aid to families who need it most;
  2. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to be at work this week, even if some committees may not be meeting due to the COVID-19;
  3. The virus continues. Millions have lost their jobs, lost their health and paid leave coverage, face evictions from their homes, lack access to the internet and have difficulty putting food on the table;
  4. Urge our Senators to be CHAMPIONS for passing a comprehensive COVID relief bill like the HEROES Act – 2 recently adopted in the House.

DEMAND OUR SENATORS VOTE FOR A HEROES ACT THAT EXTENDS A LIFELINE TO FAMILIES IN NEED

On October 1st, the U.S. House passed H.R. 8406, a $2.2 trillion “HEROES Act – 2” an update of the House’s $3.4 trillion COVID relief bill that included a lifeline of support for state and local governments and and economic aid to families who need it most. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who’s been negotiating with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi all last week, has offered a $1.6 trillion relief package. Although there is a $600 million difference between the two bills, the divisions also are a matter of values. Republicans want to give $150 billion in benefits for some of the wealthiest people in the country. Democrats have proposed $149 billion for children, according to Rep. Pelosi. Republicans also want to shelter businesses, e.g., nursing homes, from liability when they risk the health of their customers or patients during the COVID pandemic.

On October 3rd, in his first act while in the hospital, President Tweeted “OUR GREAT USA WANTS & NEEDS STIMULUS. WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE. Thank you!”

So, in spite of everything, a deal is possible. We are concerned that the virus continues. Millions have lost their jobs, lost their health and paid leave coverage, face evictions from their homes, lack access to the internet and have difficulty putting food on the table. The House covid relief bill includes provisions that help. We need to urge our two Michigan Senators to become champions for COVID relief legislation. They need to push Senators to pass a robust package.

Here are provisions in the HEROES Act – 2 that were adopted in the House:

  1. Restores weekly enhanced unemployment benefits to $600;
  2. Extends the small business Paycheck Protection Program, which expired in August;
  3. Allocates $28 billion for a vaccine and $2 billion for more personal protective equipment for industries significantly affected by COVID;
  4. Increases federal spending on Medicaid;
  5. Provides additional individual direct payments up to $1,200/person;
  6. Sustains paid sick & family leave provided under the CARES Act to December 31st. It includes the Restaurants Act that includes paid sick leave for restaurant workers;
  7. Provides $436 billion for state & local governments and a 15% increase in Food Stamps; and
  8. Increases funding for schools, airline workers and COVID testing.

For more information, click HERE.
TIME FOR ACTION!

  • CALL our Senators this week (see talking points at top of this alert). Urge them to be champions for a more comprehensive COVID relief bill;
  • Tell them you oppose letting businesses, e.g., nursing homes, be sheltered from liability when they risk the health of their customers or patients during the COVID pandemic.
  • Tell them the health of our families, our communities and our country need bold commitments to protect us from sinking deeper into the COVID-19 quicksand.

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