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Stimulus Funding Desperately Needed, But Relief Package Not Enough

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress has passed a $900 billion stimulus relief package in response to the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to necessary financial relief, it also extends the Center for Disease Control’s eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021. The money will go towards unemployment relief, food assistance, direct stimulus payments, vaccine distribution, health care and education. No money has been set aside for direct aid to state and local governments who face devastating budget cuts due to the economic crisis. 
 
The following is a statement from Margaret Huang, president and CEO of SPLC Action Fund:
 
“This is the first relief Congress has approved since April. It should have come sooner than now. Families have already waited too long and the $900 billion falls far short of what is needed to address the unprecedented economic devastation caused by COVID-19. We are grateful that money has been set aside for food assistance, education, housing assistance, stimulus checks, unemployment relief and vaccine distribution. But it’s not enough and will leave too many people in our communities behind. Our hope is that Congress will come back next year to meaningfully address the nation’s eviction crisis and do another round closer to what is actually needed.
 
“Without additional federal support, state and local governments will be forced to layoff essential workers in 2021. Southern states are struggling because of the federal government abdicating its responsibilities. The South is already home to some of the highest levels of poverty in the country. Food banks and pantries are running out of supplies. Those who have been harmed the most, including people of color, will lose needed services without federal aid.  It is unconscionable that appropriate relief hasn’t come yet, and it needs to be one of the first priorities of the new Congress.

“We are thankful to our elected leaders who resisted the pressure to create a liability shield for businesses. Corporate immunity should not be included in any future legislation. There is no reason to reward businesses that failed to institute basic protections for their workers and customers from COVID-19. We need to focus on monetary aid and providing safeguards for the health and well-being of the public, not shielding businesses that put people at risk.”