DFA says Senate COVID-19 Stimulus Deal “doesn’t go nearly far enough,” urges House improvement
Democracy for America CEO Yvette Simpson released the following statement RE: the COVID-19 Stimulus deal announced in the U.S. Senate earlier today:
“The latest Senate deal is Congress' third attempt to respond to COVID-19, yet it doesn't go nearly far enough to deal with both the immediate needs of working families and the preconditions that led to this crisis.
“Specifically, Congress must do more to expand immediate cash assistance and make it available to all; expand Medicaid funding; expand paid sick leave to all workers; provide immediate student debt relief; provide sufficient funding to cover all medical care associated with the virus; and make sure those on the front line of this health crisis in our hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies, and delivery trucks receive the support they need.
“We recognize the work that Democratic Senate leaders have done to reach a deal that is far better than the right-wing grab bag of giveaways to corporations and powerful interests Republicans first presented. The additional month of unemployment coverage for those affected by COVID-19, stimulus checks for some workers, and funding increases for hospitals and small businesses were necessary improvements, but the final bill is still not sufficient to meet the scale of this unprecedented, impending health and economic crisis.
“We urge members of the U.S. Senate to fight to make sure their Republicans colleagues don't weaken this legislation further and U.S. House members to continue improving it before any final vote on passage.” -- Yvette Simpson, CEO, Democracy for America