Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), and Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) called on the Senate to pass legislation to defeat COVID-19, save lives, and boost the economy.

As of this week, COVID-19 has killed more than 200,000 Americans, including 9,347 Bay Staters and infected nearly 7 million, and including 128,512 Massachusetts residents.

The House passed the Heroes Act more than 4 months ago to deliver emergency relief to our hospitals and health centers, our frontline health care workers and first responders, and working families in need – including direct payments of up to $6,000 for families who are struggling and expanded unemployment insurance for 880,278 Bay Staters. Yet, the Senate has not voted on a single relief package since late April.

Meanwhile, President Trump has continued to downplay the threat of the virus, even as the death toll continues to rise, and is actively suing to take health care away from people with pre-existing conditions during a pandemic. 

“We owe it to our fellow Americans who have lost their lives to COVID-19 to do everything possible to prevent others from suffering the same tragic fate. That starts with the Senate working in good faith with the House to pass long overdue relief immediately. The President must also do his part and drop his attempt to eliminate the entire Affordable Care Act in federal court without delay. The American people need more access to quality, affordable health care at a time like this, not less,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

“This pandemic is now the second-leading cause of death in our country, only behind heart disease. It will kill more Americans this year than lung cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and the flu. It didn’t have to be this way,” said Chairman Cicilline. “President Trump knew the dangers in January. But he didn’t tell the American people. He did what he always does in a crisis. He buckled. He is not up to his job. He never was. It is too big for him. The American people deserve a president who will take this deadly virus seriously and has a plan to defeat it.”

“There’s no question that we need another relief package. Schools, small businesses, and state and local governments are in dire conditions. Jobless Americans need livable unemployment payments and essential workers needs hazard pay. None of that is controversial. The House passed The Heroes Act back in May but the Senate refused to take action. The American people need both sides to compromise and negotiate in good faith to bring about a bipartisan solution,” said Congressman Himes.

A summary of the Heroes Act is available HERE.

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