Democratic Members reiterate call for COVID-19 deal before election

Earlier this week, U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Dean Phillips (MN-3) led a letter signed by 23 Democratic Members of Congress to urge House leadership to continue bipartisan negotiations with the Senate and the Administration. The goal is clear: to send a COVID-19 relief bill to the Senate before the November election that could be signed into law by the President

“Our constituents expect us to put the best interests of our communities and our country before partisan politics. In the midst of this once-in-a-century pandemic, it is critical that we remain at the table and negotiate meaningful legislation for the American people,” the Members wrote in a letter earlier this week to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader Steny Hoyer. “Passing a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package should be our number one priority in the coming days. It is our request that you continue to negotiate towards a bipartisan deal.”

“With families, businesses, and local communities truly hurting from the impacts of this health and economic crisis, it’s unconscionable for Congress to go home without taking action,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. “Right now, there’s a huge amount of support from both sides of the aisle to finally get a new relief package over the finish line, and I’m hopeful that the legislation being announced yesterday can help get the House and Senate to come to an agreement and that the President can sign it into law as soon as possible. Our families, businesses, communities cannot afford any more delays.”

“Lives and livelihoods are at stake and the window of opportunity is closing. Americans are demanding that their Congress find common ground, meet the moment, and pass this relief legislation for the President’s immediate signature,” said Congressman Dean Phillips (MN-3).

The letter is signed by Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Dean Phillips, Anthony Brindisi, Joe Cunningham, Lizzie Fletcher, Jared Golden, Vicente Gonzalez, Kendra Horn, Steven Horsford, Susie Lee, Daniel Lipinski, Tom Malinowski, Ben McAdams, Stephanie Murphy, Michael San Nicolas, Chris Pappas, Max Rose, Kurt Schrader, Elissa Slotkin, Darren Soto, Abigail Spanberger, Tom Suozzi, and Susan Wild.

A copy of the letter is available HERE, the text of which is provided below.

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer:

We write to urge you to continue bipartisan negotiations with our Republican colleagues and the Administration, so that we may deliver meaningful relief for the American people. It is essential that we send the Senate a compromise bill before the election that is reasonable and that can be signed into law by the President of the United States.

Just last week, President Trump said on COVID-19 relief negotiations, “I like the larger amount. Some of the Republicans disagree, but I think I can convince them to go along with that.”  Our families, small businesses, and communities are hurting. It would be unacceptable for us to return to our Districts without passing meaningful legislation.

Given the massive impact on this pandemic on our communities, we cannot leave until we pass much-needed relief in the areas of: COVID-19 testing, state and local aid, unemployment insurance, direct stimulus payments, support for small businesses and non-profits, food security, broadband, funding for schools and child care, housing, and agriculture support, among other pressing priorities. Our constituents expect us to put the best interests of our communities and our country before partisan politics. In the midst of this once-in-a-century pandemic, it is critical that we remain at the table and negotiate meaningful legislation for the American people.  

Passing a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package should be our number one priority in the coming days. It is our request that you continue to negotiate towards a bipartisan deal. Otherwise, a discharge petition is the only potential option for COVID-19 related action on the House Floor and we do not believe that is the best path forward. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that Americans can receive the urgent relief they need as quickly as possible.

Sincerely, 

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

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