(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and 53 colleagues in sending a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging the leaders to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis, particularly low-income communities, immigrants, and gig and service workers, in any future COVID-19 response legislation. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), and Ed Markey (D-MA) also signed the letter.

“We know that low-income people are disproportionately at risk of being uninsured or underinsured and lack the resources to prepare and protect themselves against the COVID-19 pandemic,” write the lawmakers.“Many low-income families are on the front lines of this pandemic—working as essential employees in grocery stores, hospitals, and other services. Exposure to COVID-19 is hazardous and has the potential of sending them to the hospital, where medical bills could put their family in financial ruins.”

In their letter, the lawmakers stressed the importance of ensuring people are able to meet their basic needs for the duration of this crisis.

“Simply put—people need more money in their pockets, and sending monthly payments to workers and families is the fastest and most direct way to address that need,” the lawmakers continue. “Now is not a time for timid solutions. In the face of an unprecedented moment in economic history and public health, we need to offer common sense solutions.”stimulus centers the needs of workers and consumers.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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