Urge MI Senators & Your U.S. Representative to Pass Bold COVID Relief Bill

By MUUSJN on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021

Call Your Michigan Senators

Senator Debbie Stabenow: 1-202-224-4822

Senator Gary Peters: 1-202-224-6221

Thank Them for Being Willing to Support the American Rescue Plan To Bring Relief to Michigan Families and Communities

The COVID pandemic — and the economic and health crisis it triggered — is devastating families across the country. On February 26th, the U.S. House adopted a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package called the “American Rescue Plan”. Click HERE for details from a recent article in the Detroit Free Press that spells out how the plan includes billions in relief for Michigan:

  • Stimulus checks of $1,400 for taxpayers with incomes up to $100,000 or families with incomes up to $200,000/year;
  • An additional $400/week for people on unemployment;
  • $5.7 billion for State government for lost taxes and $4.4 billion for local governments;
  • $3.5 billion to help local school districts to open safely;
  • Increased food assistance to low income families;
  • Increased child tax credits from $2,000 to $3,000/child over age six;
  • $60 billion for COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution and public health investments;
  • Airports, restaurants and other businesses are also going to get help;
  • $25 billion for restaurants and other food and drinking establishments;
  • Tax credits for employers who provide paid sick leave and paid family leave; and
  • Raises federal minimum wage to $15/hour over 5 years, ending very low tipped wages.

THE BATTLE TO GET A $15/HOUR RAISE ADOPTED IN THE SENATE

Recently, the Senate parliamentarian ruled that a raise in the minimum wage could not be included in the Senate COVID relief bill under Senate “reconciliation” rules that would allow the relief bill to be adopted with only 51 votes. Some workers’ advocates say that the Senate should overrule the parliamentarian or abolish the filibuster rule that requires Senators to get at least 60 votes to adopt legislation. The federal minimum wage hasn’t been increased since 2009 while corporate CEO’s wages have risen big time. Low income workers have struggled to barely sustain themselves on a minimum wage. Even though Democrats like Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Krysten Sinema (AZ) have indicated they oppose a $15 federal minimum wage, the majority of Americans support it. A Reuter/Ipsos poll released on February 25th, indicated that a majority of Americans (59%) support a raise in the minimum wage over five years.

Americans also support the American Rescue Plan by 68% according to an Quinnipiac poll from February 2021. It’s urgent that the Senate adopts the American Rescue Plan adopted before March 14th when COVID unemployment benefits run out.

TELL YOUR SENATORS:

  1. The majority of Americans want them to adopt the American Rescue Plan.
  2. Support relief for families so they can keep food on the table and a roof over their head.
  3. Make sure the resources are in place so all Americans get vaccinated.
  4. Support state and local communities so they can get help to people where it’s needed.
  5. Raise the federal minimum wage, which has not increased since 2009, to $15/hour. Urge them to be CHAMPIONS of raising the minimum wage to $15/hour!
  6. Vote YES on the American Rescue Plan to give real relief for families and communities.

Click HERE for more information about the American Rescue Plan and why it’s urgent that it be adopted!

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