{"id":16662,"date":"2021-02-01T15:45:23","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T15:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiofree.org\/?p=157099"},"modified":"2021-02-01T15:45:23","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T15:45:23","slug":"as-congress-negotiates-covid-relief-bill-and-budget-reconciliation-process-begins-peoples-action-announces-priorities-to-protect-everyday-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/02\/01\/as-congress-negotiates-covid-relief-bill-and-budget-reconciliation-process-begins-peoples-action-announces-priorities-to-protect-everyday-people\/","title":{"rendered":"As Congress Negotiates COVID Relief Bill and Budget Reconciliation Process Begins, People\u2019s Action Announces Priorities to Protect Everyday People"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WASHINGTON – People\u2019s Action today sent a letter to congressional Democrat leadership<\/a> demanding they protect everyday people in any new COVID relief bill. In the letters, People\u2019s Action Director George Goehl emphasizes that a new COVID relief bill should build on President Biden\u2019s American Rescue Plan, and that people\u2019s needs should not be sacrificed for bipartisanship. He urged Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Chairmen of the Senate and House Budget Committees, Senator Sanders and Rep. Yarmuth to use their trifecta and the budget reconciliation process to secure urgently needed relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe the $1.9 trillion in expenditures outlined in President Biden\u2019s American Rescue Plan must be the floor, and not the ceiling. Considering the scale and longstanding nature of our public health and economic crisis, a scaled-back COVID relief package would be a big miss,\u201d People\u2019s Action Director George Goehl wrote. \u201cInstead, we look to you to ensure that people get the relief they need and voted for. We are seeking a recovery that is equitable, and helps address longstanding racial disparities driven by bad policy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congressional negotiators are working on the next round of COVID relief and are expected to start the budget reconciliation process this week.<\/p>\n

In the letter<\/a>, People\u2019s Action specifically demands lawmakers include the following in the next COVID relief package:<\/p>\n