Mary Gay Scanlon: “It has been 257 days since the first major COVID relief package was signed into law--257 days. In that time period…”

“It has been 257 days since the first major COVID relief package was signed into law--257 days. In that time period, COVID cases in the U.S. have skyrocketed, and we have lost almost 290,000 Americans. The devastation this virus has wrought on our families, our communities, and our economy is enormous. But it would have been so much worse if we had not provided that early relief to our families, our small businesses, and workers impacted by the spring surge. And economists are clear that we need to provide more direct relief in order to buoy the economy, much less to keep people safe. The relief that we are seeking, that the American people are seeking is not a handout. It is a lifeline. It is critical to get relief in the hands of families, small businesses, frontline workers, and local governments so we can get the virus under control. But, also, so we can get the country back to work once we do so. Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. Unemployment is running out, small businesses--and especially, restaurants--are closing. Families are facing eviction and foreclosure. Mr. Speaker, fighting this pandemic has been hard enough on the American people. Getting them the relief they need to stay safe and healthy shouldn't be. ____________________”