Debbie's Blog
Coronavirus update: May 16, 2020
Washington,
May 16, 2020
Here is an update for May 16th.
Thought of the day: Compromise is not a dirty word. Last night the House passed the Heroes Act, the latest legislation to address the continued public health crisis and provide desperately needs support for struggling families and essential workers. The Heroes Act funds testing and contract tracing, support for frontline workers, and strengthens assistance for the American people. The Michigan Senate now estimates a $2.2 billion budget hole in 2020, The Heroes Act would bring back to Michigan $7.3 billion in 2020 to ensure we can pay health care workers, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers, and other vital workers. We can’t just sit by and let our state, county, and local governments “go bankrupt.” We passed the Heroes Act to protect Michigan families and ensure all our frontline heroes have the support they need to continue to save lives and keep our communities safe and healthy. The COVID-19 crisis has touched every part of every American’s life, The Heroes Act is comprehensive and includes a number of provisions I led, including preventing water shut offs, funding for home and community based care for seniors and people with disabilities, helping laid off workers pay COBRA health care coverage, strengthening domestic manufacturing, strong workplace safety standards, domestic violence support, and more. One area of concern are the pension provisions that take care of some, but not others. This is not the last word on pensions. We will keep fighting for additional changes and I know our brothers and sisters in labor will continue to fight and uplift one another as our fight for retirement security for all continues. Congress was intended for all to come together and remember, compromise isn’t a dirty word. Team Dingell is here seven days a week and wants to listen and help. It isn’t as smooth as we want on some issues, but we will never stop fighting for you. Call our office at 313-278-2936 or contact us through Facebook or our webpage. New information becomes available every day. Below is a list of resources and information that can be helpful during this time. Please share this information with your family, friends, and colleagues. Remember, stay home, stay safe, save lives. Coronavirus information File for unemployment Small Businesses can apply for low-interest disaster loans Navigating Social Security Benefits School Based Food Service Interactive Map Food Banks and Kitchens in Michigan's 12th Congressional District Contact numbers for people looking for information are: • Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov/coronavirus, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). • Michigan.gov/coronavirus, or 888-535-6136. |
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