Over two months ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, which closed gaps in previous relief measures to further support families and communities as they continue to confront the COVID-19 public health crisis. It is far past time for the Senate to act to provide critical and inclusive relief to thousands of Nebraskans, including Black and Latinx communities who have been hit the hardest by the pandemic.
As the Senate reconvenes today to negotiate on relief legislation, it is essential for them to include these following items:
- Increase funding for Medicaid to help states meet the higher demand for the program and allow for a special Marketplace enrollment period to help people access health coverage as Nebraskans are laid off and lose health insurance;
- Set up a national moratorium on evictions and foreclosures and provide $100 billion in emergency rental assistance and eviction prevention;
- Increase SNAP benefits for thousands of Nebraskans to help keep food on the table.
- Extend the $600 boost in Unemployment Insurance through the end of the year for the thousands of Nebraskans currently out of work;
- Place a moratorium on youth aging out of foster care during the pandemic and increase funding for child welfare programs so that critical support to older youth remains intact;
- Include immigrant Nebraskans and mixed-status families in economic impact payments retroactively and going forward.
- Create enforceable workplace safety protections for Nebraskans who work in meat and poultry processing, including requiring 6-foot distancing on the production line.
- Pass the Dream & Promise Act to create stability for long-time residents, families and whole communities.
Take Action: Senators must support Nebraskans
Contact your U.S. Senator and tell them the Senate’s COVID-19 relief package needs to prioritize these urgent community needs to continue responding to the ongoing challenges presented by this public health emergency.
| Sen. Deb Fischer (202) 224-6551 | Sen. Ben Sasse (202) 224-4224 |
During this challenging moment, the health, safety, and economic well-being of Nebraska communities must be our priority, so please urge Nebraska Senators to include these important components in this bill.
Thank you for your continued advocacy.
We need our reps to respond to what is happening in Nebraska.
I support the the passing of additional/continuing COVID-19 Relief, including the continuance of $600/wk unemployment. While I am NOT opposed to finding work, I want a job, it is an impossible feat where there are simply not enough jobs available. Finding a job is hard without hindrances, but when you are a senior citizen, not able physically to do just anything, and have an unreliable car, finding work in a rural community is not only logistically challenging, but is a significant source of stress, creating health issues that cannot be addressed because health insurance is also unattainable.