Bernie Sanders Calls for 'Boldest Legislation in History' to Halt Spiraling
Covid-19 Catastrophe
"In this unprecedented moment in modern American history, it is imperative
that we respond in an unprecedented way."
byEoin Higgins, staff writer
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks during
a campaign event at NOAH's Events Venue on December 30, 2019 in West Des
Moines, Iowa.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks during
a campaign event at NOAH's Events Venue on December 30, 2019 in West Des
Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday released his demands for six key priorities
that he said must be included in the next round of federal economic relief
for suffering Americans as the coronavirus pandemic cripples the country's
healthcare system and eviscerates the economy.
"We are in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic that could lead to the death of
hundreds of thousands of Americans and infect millions of others, and we are
entering an economic downturn that could be worse than the Great Depression
of the 1930s," Sanders said. "In this unprecedented moment in modern
American history, it is imperative that we respond in an unprecedented way."
According to the Vermont lawmaker's office, Sanders wants the next bill to
include six provisions that are aimed at helping working people in the U.S.
weather the crisis:
Addressing the employment crisis by ensuring workers remain employed and
paid as well as providing social services for everyone in the country,
regardless of citizenship or immigration status
Guaranteeing a free at point of service Medicare for All single payer
healthcaer system for everyone in the country
Immediately using the Defense Production Act to manufacture personal
protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other needed healthcare
equipment for frontline workers dealing with the pandemic
Providing food for everyone in the country for the duration of the crisis
$600 billion in aid to states and cities
An immediate suspension of collections of rent, mortgage payments, medical
debt, and consumer debt for four months and a suspension of student loan
payments through the duration of the pandemic
In a video posted to social media, Sanders said the pandemic presents an
outright "emergency" for the nation's most vulnerable populations and for
all working people, and that drastic measures must be taken to protect
people's health and economic wellbeing:
Sanders, a candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination,
announced the priorities Friday afternoon. Campaign co-chair Nina Turner, in
a tweet, cited the need for ambitious thinking.
"We are entering a downturn that could be worse than the Great Depression,"
said Turner. "We must respond to this unprecedented challenge with the
boldest measures: Sanders is outlining the most comprehensive set of
priorities that will IMMEDIATELY provide relief and leave no one behind."
The plan won praise from Ana Maria Archila, co-director of the Center For
Popular Democracy Action.
"Bernie's plan for the fourth phase of a federal legislative response
centers people, not corporations," said Archila. "It is about helping us
survive with the cash assistance, healthcare, nutrition, worker safety we
need, and relief from monthly payments we cannot make. It speaks to the
needs of frontline workers who are battling the pandemic and making it
possible for the rest of us to shelter in place."
Inclusion of the kind of provisions that Sanders is demanding in the next
stimulus bill would make the package "the boldest legislation in history,"
the senator's office said. However, as some observers pointed out, the six
core concepts likely represent the least that is necessary to stop a total
economic meltdown.
A number of progressive groups backed the Sanders plan, calling the
forward-thinking ideas in the proposal necessary to stave off an economic
disaster.
"Senator Sanders' economic rescue principles speak to the bold, fast action
needed to protect and support people and prevent corporations from
consolidating economic and political power amidst a crisis," said George
Goehl, director of People's Action.
Make the Road Action co-director Javier H. Valdés made the case that Sanders
is offering concrete, real help to Americans.
"The priorities outlined by Senators Sanders for the next Coronavirus
Stimulus Package are what our country needs to ensure everyone in our
community can access the financial and medical support needed to withstand
this crisis," said Valdés." We stand with Senator Sanders in demanding a
$2,000 monthly emergency payment, emergency food, and Medicare to every
person in our country regardless of their housing situation, immigration
status, or whether they have a bank account or internet connection."
Meanwhile, Sanders' rival former Vice President Joe Biden continues to claim
that universal healthcare is an unworkable solution to the insurance crisis
in the U.S. and that a single-payer system would not have stopped the
outbreak. As Common Dreams reported, estimates of workers losing coverage
due to loss of employment in 2020 could top 35 million.
In an interview Friday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a former candidate
for president whose run was seen as ideologically similar to Sanders',
praised Biden as analogous to former President Barack Obama, who "saw us
through a crisis starting back in 2009 with steady, thoughtful, smart
leadership."
"That's what I think we can expect from Vice President Biden," said Warren,
who stopped short of an outright endorsement.
Sanders appeared on MSNBC Friday to promote his plan. During the segment,
host Ali Velshi listed a number of longstanding priorities of the senator's,
including Medicare for All and student debt relief, and wondered if the
crisis was making Sanders' case for president for him.
"Reality has endorsed Bernie Sanders," tweeted progressive political group
People for Berniea sentiment many progressive voices have shared in recent
weeks.
Our work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
License. Feel free to republish and share widely.
