The White House and Democratic and Republican Senators have reached a deal on a $2 trillion stimulus package in response to the pandemic, and passed the bill unanimously last night. Democratic Senators fought hard for us and won several victories – the bill includes dramatically expanded unemployment insurance and provides money to support our already-strained health care system.
However, the bill is missing some key elements, without which many people will be left in the lurch. Let’s follow Indivisible National’s lead and ask our House representatives to make amendments to the Senate bill before passing it. Before the bill gets through the House, we want it to include universal paid sick leave, improved cash assistance for all including immigrants, expanded Medicaid funding and protections for healthcare workers, guardrails for corporate bailouts, and national vote-by-mail to protect the integrity of our elections.
ACTION: Amend the COVID-19 stimulus package to put people first
Note: Government offices are running on small crews and working from home to do their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Whenever possible, we’ll be emailing rather than calling, to support them in this effort.
Pramila Jayapal https://jayapal.house.gov/contact/email/
Adam Smith https://adamsmith.house.gov/contact
Example script*
“Hi, I’m [NAME] and I live in [PLACE]. I’m writing about the COVID-19 stimulus package that the Senate is currently ironing out. Senate Democrats fought hard for a few concessions in this bill, but it is not enough. Please help those who need it most by amending the Senate bill to include universal paid sick leave, improved cash assistance for all including immigrants, expanded Medicaid funding and protections for healthcare workers, guardrails for corporate bailouts, and national vote-by-mail to protect the integrity of our elections. Vote no on any bill that does not put people over profits. Thank you.”
* When emailing, it is more effective if you can make the points above in your own words, rather than cutting and pasting.
Background:
https://indivisible.org/demand-your-representative-addresses-coronavirus-outbreak https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/25/coronavirus-latest-news/ https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/25/politics/stimulus-senate-action-coronavirus/index.html
