People's Recovery or Corporate Bailouts: PCAF Analyzes Contrasting Visions for Coronavirus Response
WASHINGTON, DC - In the midst of heated Congressional negotiations, the Progressive Caucus Action Fund (PCAF) released a side-by-side comparison of the House and Senate proposals for the third coronavirus relief package. The document analyzes the Senate Republican proposal released on March 22, 2020 and the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, H.R. 6379, as introduced on March 23, 2020. The comparison is available on the PCAF website at: https://progressivecaucusactionfund.org/s/Current-coronavirus-proposals.pdf
“The priorities are crystal clear. House Democrats are fighting for a people’s recovery that includes coronavirus testing and treatment at no cost, protects frontline workers, prevents layoffs and provides direct cash and other supports to families struggling with loss of jobs and income, helps students with debt cancellation, stabilizes state and local government budgets, and provides basic supports like, child care, paid leave, and food security. Senate Republicans put the needs of CEOs and shareholders ahead of the American people,” said Liz Watson, Executive Director of the Progressive Caucus Action Fund.
“This is about the restaurant worker whose workplace closes and can’t make rent or pay college loans. This is about the ER nurse who is trying to save lives without protective gear and without access to child care. This is about the small business owners trying to keep their business open and pay their employees. This is about the mom with a high fever and a persistent cough who can’t get a test and can’t afford a big surprise medical bill. Congress must make sure that this bill serves all of us.”
A few highlights from the comparison of the two proposals include:
House Democrats expands paid sick and paid family and medical leave. Senate Republicans continue to leave millions of families without access to paid leave.
House Democrats ensure that we can all vote safely in November. Senate Republicans are silent.
House Democrats put conditions on aid to prevent layoffs and provide oversight. Senate Republicans give money to corporations with almost no strings attached.
House Democrats cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for borrowers. Senate Republicans only give a brief pause to loan payments.
House Democrats address critical issues like food security, housing, the need for significant expansion to unemployment insurance, emergency workplace protections for health care workers, protecting immigrants, and protecting incarcerated people. Senate Republicans are silent.
House Democrats would give small businesses over $500 billion in grants and loans. Senate Republicans would only give small businesses $300 billion in loan guarantees and subsidies.
House Democrats would support hospitals to increase capacity, fund $1.6 billion for critical drugs and protective gear as well as $3.48 billion for protective equipment and support from the National Guard. Senate Republicans allocated no specific funds for increased hospital beds or allowing the federal government to pay for ventilators or shore up our hospital system beyond telemedicine.
The coronavirus pandemic is attacking our health care system, our economy, and our communities. We need a people’s recovery, not another golden parachute for the wealthy few.
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