The Boldest Piece of Legislation Ever Written in Modern History
By Bernie Sanders, Reader Supported News
04 April 20
ur country is now facing its worst crisis in modern history. 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.
Last week, 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment. This week that
number doubled to 6.6 million claims - ten times higher than any other week
on record. It is certain that well over 10 million people have lost their
jobs - more than in the Wall Street crash of 2008.
In this unprecedented moment in modern American history, it is imperative
that we respond in an unprecedented way. And that means that Congress must
pass, in the very near future, the boldest piece of legislation ever written
in modern history.
There are many, many issues that must be addressed in our response to this
pandemic, and working together, we will make sure they are addressed.
But today, I am outlining a set of six core provisions that must be included
in the next legislation Congress passes to support working people in this
country during this horrific crisis. Please read them and add your name to
say that you agree:
1. Addressing the Employment Crisis and Providing Immediate Financial Relief
There is little doubt in my mind that we are facing an economic crisis that
could be even worse than the Great Depression. The St. Louis Federal Reserve
has projected that 47 million more people may become unemployed by the end
of June, with unemployment reaching 32 percent. In my view, we must make
sure that every worker in America continues to receive their paycheck during
this crisis and we must provide immediate financial relief to everyone in
this country.
An important precedent for that approach was taken in the recent stimulus
package in which grants were provided to the airlines for the sole purpose
of maintaining the paychecks and benefits of some 2 million workers in that
industry through September 30. We must expand that program to cover every
worker in America and we must make it retroactive to the beginning of this
crisis. This is not a radical idea. Other countries, such as the UK, Norway,
Denmark, France, and others have all come up with similar approaches to
sustain their economy and prevent workers from losing their jobs.
Our primary goal during this crisis must be to prevent the disintegration of
the American economy. It will be much easier and less expensive to prevent
the collapse of the economy than trying to put it back together after it
collapses.
To do this, we must also begin monthly payments of $2,000 for every man,
woman, and child in our country, and guarantee paid family leave throughout
this crisis so that people who are sick do not face the choice of infecting
others or losing their job.
2. We Must Guarantee Health Care to All
Let's be clear: we were facing a catastrophic health care crisis before the
pandemic, and now that crisis has become much, much worse. Already, 87
million people are uninsured or underinsured. Layoffs will mean tens of
millions of people more will lose their current insurance - which will
result in countless deaths and bankruptcies. Already in the last two weeks,
an estimated 3.5 million people have lost their employer-sponsored
insurance.
And as the pandemic grows, we are seeing more and more reports of people who
have delayed treatment due to concerns about cost. In this pandemic,
uninsurance will lead to deaths and more COVID-19 transmissions.
Therefore, during this crisis, Medicare must be empowered to pay all of the
deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for the
uninsured and the underinsured. No one in America who is sick, regardless of
immigration status, should be afraid to seek the medical treatment they need
during this national pandemic. Let me be clear: I am not proposing that we
pass Medicare for All in this moment. That fight continues into the future.
But, for the moment, we must act boldly to make sure everyone can get the
health care they need in the coming months.
3. Use the Defense Production Act to Produce the Equipment and Testing We
Need
Unbelievably, in the United States right now, doctors and nurses are
unnecessarily putting their lives on the line treating people suffering from
the coronavirus because they lack personal protective equipment like masks,
gloves, and surgical gowns. The CDC has directed health professionals to use
homemade gear like bandanas or scarves and some workers at the VA are being
told to re-use one surgical mask for a week at a time. HHS estimated that
our country needs 3.5 billion masks in response to this crisis.
President Trump has utilized the Defense Production Act thousands of times
for the military and for enforcement of his immigration policies, yet he has
resisted using its power to save lives during the pandemic. That is
unacceptable. We must immediately and forcefully use the Defense Production
Act to direct the production of all of the personal protective equipment,
ventilators and other medical supplies needed.
We must also utilize this power to produce antibody tests so we can begin
figuring out who has already contracted the virus and has developed some
immunity to COVID-19.
In addition, OSHA must adopt a strong emergency standard to protect health
care workers, patients, and the public during this crisis. We must crack
down aggressively on price gougers and hoarders, and use any means necessary
to secure supplies.
4. Make Sure No One Goes Hungry
Even before this crisis hit, one in every seven kids in America was going
hungry and nearly 5.5 million seniors in our country struggled with hunger.
Already in this crisis we see lines at food banks and growing concern that
our most vulnerable communities and those recently unemployed may struggle
to feed their families.
As communities face record levels of food insecurity, we must increase SNAP
benefits, expand the WIC program for pregnant mothers, infants, and
children, double funding for the Emergency Food Program (TEFAP) to ensure
food banks have food to distribute, and expand Meals on Wheels and School
Meals programs. When necessary, we must also develop new approaches to
deliver food to vulnerable populations - including door-to-door drop offs.
5. Provide Emergency Aid to States and Cities
Even as state and local employees like police officers, firefighters and
paramedics work on the front lines of this pandemic, states and cities that
pay their salaries are facing enormous budgetary pressures.
Congress must provide $600 billion in direct fiscal aid to states and cities
to ensure they have the personnel and funding necessary to respond to this
crisis. In addition, the Federal Reserve must establish programs to provide
direct fiscal support and budgetary relief to states and municipalities.
6. Suspend Monthly Payments
Even before this crisis, half of the people in our country were living
paycheck to paycheck. In America today, over 18 million families are paying
more than 50 percent of their income on housing. Now, with growing
unemployment, families are facing financial ruin if we do not act quickly
and boldly.
That's why we must suspend monthly expenses like rent, mortgages, medical
debt and consumer debt collection for 4 months. We must cancel all student
loan payments for the duration of this crisis, and place an immediate
moratorium on evictions, foreclosures, and utility shut-offs.
Brothers and sisters: In this unprecedented moment in our history it is easy
to feel like we are alone, and that everyone must fend for themselves. But
that would be a mistake and a terrible tragedy. Now, more than any other
moment in our lives, we must remember that we are all in this together -
that when one of us gets sick, many more may get sick. And when my neighbor
loses their job, I may lose my job as well.
Add your name to say you support these ideas to support the working people
of this country during the coronavirus crisis.
Further, we cannot wait until our economy collapses to act. It will be far
easier and less expensive to act now, in a very bold way, than to try to
rebuild our country later.
If we work together and unite behind these basic principles of economic and
health justice, I am confident that we will not only get through this
unprecedented crisis together but that we will lay the groundwork for a
better and more just America in the future.
In solidarity,
Bernie Sanders
