Senate leaders released their proposal for the next round of COVID-19 relief funding on Monday—a proposal that falls far short of what we need. Unlike the HEROES Act, passed by the US House of Representatives in May, the Senate bill denies people adequate economic assistance to take care of themselves and their families. It also fails to provide support to states and cities, which are facing unprecedented budget deficits and public service cuts.

We want to thank those of you who have already contacted your senators to urge them to pass an equitable COVID-19 relief and recovery bill. But, because people’s health is at stake, we are urging everyone to take action and keep the pressure on the Senate.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve health, safety, and wellbeing, which is why it’s crucial that the Senate provides adequate support to struggling families and small businesses. Unemployment is still at historic levels, and thousands of small businesses are on the brink as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen. Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color have been impacted the most.

Please contact your senators today by email or by calling (202) 224-3121. Urge them to pass an adequate and equitable COVID-19 relief and recovery bill. You can use the talking points below.

The Senate bill must:

• Prioritize direct support to individuals, families, and communities that need it most—not to corporations. We need to make sure people are able to meet their basic needs during this devastating economic crisis. Individuals, families, and communities need immediate economic assistance, food assistance, childcare support, housing support, and paid sick leave. They also need to be able to access timely COVID-19 testing and treatment. While the Senate bill cuts unemployment benefits and leaves individuals and families without the resources they need, the proposal would make it harder to hold employers accountable for risking their workers’ health. Learn more from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
   
• Support Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other communities of color. In addition to economic and health assistance, we need policies that will address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on communities of color and position those communities to be able to achieve a just and equitable recovery. The Movement for Black Lives’ National Demands for COVID-19 include supporting essential workers—43% of whom are people of color; protecting voters—especially Black voters, who are being targeted for disenfranchisement; and releasing people from jails, prisons, and detention centers.
   
• Provide direct funding for state and local governments: State and local governments are staring down enormous budget deficits after having stepped up to meet their residents’ needs during this crisis. Without federal assistance, they will have to cut health and social services, education, environmental protection, and other crucial programs. The Senate bill includes no aid to local governments. Cities and states are on the frontline of our country’s response to COVID-19, and we can’t afford to let them to go bankrupt as they try to meet their residents’ needs during this crisis. Visit the National League of Cities for more information.
   
• Protect immigrant families during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: The Senate proposal excludes immigrants and their families—a tragic slight that leaves all of us more vulnerable. The Senate bill needs to make sure everyone can access COVID-19 testing, treatment, and emergency assistance regardless of immigration status. Learn more by visiting Protecting Immigrant Families.

We need Congress to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they were born and what community they call home, has access to economic support, healthcare, and other resources they need to weather this pandemic and move toward recovery. As we’ve learned so well during this pandemic, our lives are intertwined with everyone else’s, and supporting those facing the greatest challenges will benefit all of us.

There’s still time to act. Please email or call your senators today at (202) 224-3121—and  share this e-alert with colleagues, friends, and family members.