Urge Senators to Strengthen Big Economic Rescue Bill
By MUUSJN on Saturday, March 21st, 2020
National Emergency: Next Steps
Urge Our Senators Today to Strengthen the CARES Act (SB 3548)
(the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act)
Senators Negotiating Massive Coronavirus Economic Aid Bill This Weekend
Vote Possible on Monday
This weekend, Congress is negotiating a major economic package that both Democrats and Republicans agree is needed to avoid a recession and great suffering of the American people. Unfortunately, our nation’s leaders have been slow to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which is now having a major impact on businesses, our health systems, our schools and the health and economic well being of people of his country. This email will providesan update on two pieces of legislation put together quickly to respond this crisis:
- The $104 billion “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” signed by #45 on March 18th.
- The massive, $1 trillion+ CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act (S. 3548) introduced on March 19th by Sen. Mitch McConnell. We need your help to promote ways to STRENGTHEN this important bill.
THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT
THANK YOU to people who responded to MUUSJN’s first email and urged their Senators to adopt the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (HR 6201) without including #45’s six month payroll “tax cut” that would have undermined funding for our Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds. This Act is a first step toward supporting U.S. families by providing most workers with paid two weeks of paid sick leave for workers in companies with less than 500 workers; free testing for coronavirus; expanded unemployment benefits; expanded funding for Medicaid; and expanded food assistance. Click HERE for a summary of this Act.
THE CARE ACT & PRINCIPLES FOR PROTECTING PEOPLE’S LIVES & THE ECONOMY
Reportedly half of the $1 trillion+ CARE bill would provide financial relief for large (e.g.,airline industry and cruise ships) and small businesses being harmed by the coronavirus crisis. The other half was to put money in people’s pockets so they can take care of basic needs and stimulate the economy. An important part of those consumer benefits include cash payments from $600 – $1,200. The lowest amount of this payment is for people who are too poor to pay taxes.
Click HERE for principles drawn from the Coalition for Human Needs and other sources:
- DIRECT INCOME PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH GREATEST NEEDS: People who are too poor to pay taxes should also get $1,200 in cash payments.
- EXPAND PROVEN WAYS TO BOOST THE ECONOMY: Unemployment Insurance and SNAP Low income people are more likely to spend dollars and stimulate the economy.
- STRENGTHEN CONSUMER PROTECTIONS: Every worker should be eligible for paid sick leave. Implement a nation-wide halt to evictions and foreclosures. Call for a national moratorium on shutoffs of electricity and water. Waive unaffordable student loans.
- EXPAND FUNDS TO STATES FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND ON-LINE SERVICES.
- ATTACH CONDITIONS TO AID TO BUSINESSES: Limit employee layoffs. Comply with health & safety regulations. Don’t use federal funds to boost corporate salaries and support stock buy-backs.
Call Our MICHIGAN Senators TODAY:
Senator Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822
Senator Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221
Tell Them:
- Support a CARE Act that strengthens support and protections for consumers;
- Call for a moratorium on water, electricity, mortgage foreclosures and evictions; and
- Assure that financial assistance to businesses is not used to boost corporate salaries or support stock buy-backs.
Thank you for taking action!
What We Need to Do to Stay Healthy
Most of you have heard this many times already, but older persons with underlying health conditions are more vulnerable to becoming infected with the coronavirus and passing it on to others. For more information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on ways to avoid becoming a victim of coronavirus, click HERE.
Category: News |