Poligon joined over 50+ organizations in sending a letter in support of the COVID Community Care Act (H.R. 8192/S.4941) and urge swift passage and implementation of this essential piece of legislation. This bill recognizes the essential role local non-profits, faith-based and community-based organizations have played in addressing Covid-19 through culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach for testing, contact tracing and the provision of resources such as access to food, medicine, and personal protective equipment, as well as the resource coordination necessary to address job and housing insecurity.

The Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of bipartisan lawmakers, unveiled a $908 billion COVID-19 relief framework aimed to break stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over emergency assistance amidst the pandemic. 

The framework includes:

• $160 billion for State, Local, and Tribal Governments
• $180 billion for additional Unemployment Insurance (UI)
• $288 billion for small businesses including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
• $45 billion for Transportation (Airlines, Airports, Buses, Transit, and Amtrak)
• $16 billion for Vaccine Development and Distribution 
• $35 billion for Healthcare Provider Relief Fund
• $82 billion for Education
• $25 billion for Housing Assistance
• $26 billion for Nutrition (including SNAP)
• $10 billion for U.S. Postal Service

The unemployment benefits would reduce to $300 a week for 18 week, compared to the $600 per week included under the CARES Act. The funds would run through the first quarter of 2021. Congress is running out of time to pass a fifth relief bill with lawmakers scheduled to leave for the year as soon as next week and multiple federal assistance programs set to expire at the end of the month. 

Due to COVID-19 many families will be able to participate on Thanksgiving day. In a very real way these families will not have food to put on their tables, and the threat of hunger, unemployment, unpaid rent, mortgages, and medical bills will drown out the holiday joy this season is supposed to bring. During this month of remembrance, then, and on behalf of the Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs (DHN), a coalition representing an array of religious denominations, service agencies, and faith-based organizations, we ask Congress to take responsibility and support suffering families by passing a robust COVID-19 relief package.

We believe a robust COVID-19 relief package should enact the following policy priorities:

• Increase SNAP by 15%
• Allocate more money for housing, homeless assistance, and extend the moratorium on evictions
• Extend expanded unemployment assistance
• Expand the EITC and Child Tax Credit
• Authorize another economic impact payment
• Authorize pandemic TANF

Vital assistance for workers, renters, and small businesses have expired and several of COVID-19 relief measures are set to expire on December 31st. Congress must act now and pass an additional COVID-19 relief package. Click here to urge your Senate to provide relief to impacted communities.

House voted to pass an updated version of The Heroes Act.  The bill was approved by a tally of 214 to 204. Every House Republican voted no, saying 2.2 trillion is too much to spend and the funding targeted programs unrelated to the coronavirus crisis. The $2.2 trillion legislation includes:

• 15% increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 
• $225 billion for education – including $182 billion for K-12 schools and nearly $39 billion for postsecondary education – and $57 billion to support child care for families.
• $436 billion for assistance to state, local, territorial and tribal governments 
• $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures
• $1,200 stimulus check per taxpayer and $500 per dependent
• $600 federal unemployment payments through next January
• 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 

It also includes a key provision backed by President Trump and GOP allies:

• Provisions to improve the Paycheck Protection Program to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits
• $25 billion to stave off thousands of layoffs at passenger airlines, as well as $3 billion for airline contractors. The restaurant industry would receive $120 billion in aid. 
• Additional assistance for airline industry workers, extending the Payroll Support Program to keep airline industry workers paid

​Currently, the Republicans in the Senate and White House both oppose the bill and want a proposal that is $600 billion less. Negotiations between the House leaders and the White House are still ongoing.

House Democrats released an updated version of The Heroes Act, which reflected negotiations between Democrats and Republicans. The $2.2 trillion legislation includes:

• 15% increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 
• $225 billion for education – including $182 billion for K-12 schools and nearly $39 billion for postsecondary education – and $57 billion to support child care for families.
• $436 billion for assistance to state, local, territorial and tribal governments 
• $75 billion for coronavirus testing, contact tracing and isolation measures
• $1,200 stimulus check per taxpayer and $500 per dependent
• $600 federal unemployment payments through next January
• 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs 

​The updated HEROES Act also includes a key provision backed by President Trump and GOP allies:

• Provisions to improve the Paycheck Protection Program to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits
• $25 billion to stave off thousands of layoffs at passenger airlines, as well as $3 billion for airline contractors. The restaurant industry would receive $120 billion in aid. 
• Additional assistance for airline industry workers, extending the Payroll Support Program to keep airline industry workers paid

A possible vote on the legislation this Wednesday or Thursday, before the House leaves for October congressional recess. 

Poligon's President, Wardah Khalid,  and other faith leaders part of the Washington Interfaith Staff Community sent a letter calling for the passage of a robust COVID relief bill that provides aid for those most in need. As we approach the sobering loss of 200,000 lives in America with no end of the pandemic in sight, the vulnerable struggle under the weight of the health pandemic and crushing economic stagnation. Congress must pass a robust COVID relief bill providing critical assistance to families and communities.

​Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced the Senate will vote on a targeted COVID-19 Relief Bill as soon as this week. The bill includes:

• A $300 per week federal unemployment benefit through the end of the year
• Another round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) 
• $105 billion for elementary, secondary and post-secondary education
• $29 billion for the development of COVID-19 medical countermeasures and vaccines
• $16 billion for coronavirus testing
• $15 billion for child care
• Liability protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits

Several weeks have now passed since many relief programs from the CARES Act expired and millions of Americans continue to struggle amidst the pandemic. This bill does not include funding for state and local government, second stimulus check, SNAP benefit increase, and much more.