THREAD: I want to be as open & accountable as possible to the people of Massachusetts' Second District about what actions my team and I have taken to address the #COVID19 crisis.
Here's a list of some of what we've been up to. (1/?)
Here's a list of some of what we've been up to. (1/?)
3/ Massachusetts needs a robust, coordinated federal response to this crisis. So the day after my conference call, our Congressional Delegation asked the @WhiteHouse Coronavirus Task Force to take urgent & specific steps to help our state respond. ⤵️ 
4/ Working families shouldn't worry about putting food on the table — especially during a national emergency. So I led a letter to @USDA demanding that they protect people who are struggling to buy food.
5/ I also introduced a new bill — the Ensuring Emergency Food Security Act — alongside Rep. @RosaDeLauro to help ensure that no one in America is left behind or left out during a national emergency.
6/ As Chair of @RulesDemocrats, I helped bring to the House Floor the bipartisan #FamiliesFirst Coronavirus Response Act, the second phase of our response. It secures paid emergency leave, enhanced unemployment insurance & more.
7/ Federal disaster aid will be distributed, in part, based on the findings of the 2020 census. We need an accurate count — so I joined a letter to @USCensusBureau Director Steven Dillingham asking what steps he is taking to ensure we count everybody. ⤵️
8/ By the way, EVERYONE needs to do their part to #StopTheSpread of COVID-19. For example, my staff and I are teleworking, and we canceled my public events.
9/ We also built a dedicated COVID-19 resources page on my website where #MA02 residents can find local, accurate, up-to-date information during this time of uncertainty. mcgovern.house.gov/helping-you/co…
10/ Getting feedback from people on the front lines during a crisis is critical — so I hosted another emergency conference call with local public health authorities to gather input about our COVID-19 response at the local, state, and federal levels.
11/ This crisis has devastated small businesses in Massachusetts. As soon as @MassGovernor Charlie Baker requested a declaration of economic injury (allowing businesses to access disaster loans) from @SBAgov, I joined a letter backing up his request.
masslive.com/politics/2020/…
masslive.com/politics/2020/…
12/ Paychecks aren't coming in. Families are in crisis. They shouldn't have to worry about late fees and interest piling up. My colleagues & I are asking credit card companies to stop collecting interest & waive late fees until the pandemic is over.
13/ The Trump administration has been way too slow in getting Massachusetts the protective equipment and supplies we need. So we sent a follow-up letter demanding an update on the status of @MassDPH's request for equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. ⤵️
14/ Community health centers are on the front lines of this crisis. I joined 160+ colleagues including @SenSanders to ask for billions in additional funding so CHCs have the resources they need to keep our communities healthy and safe.
15/ University closures could result in a drastic undercount of Massachusetts students in the 2020 Census, costing the Commonwealth millions in lost federal funding.
The Mass. Delegation is asking the @uscensusbureau to make sure that doesn't happen. mcgovern.house.gov/news/documents…
The Mass. Delegation is asking the @uscensusbureau to make sure that doesn't happen. mcgovern.house.gov/news/documents…
16/ Last week, @MassGovernor Charlie Baker formally requested a major disaster declaration and we wrote a letter to the Trump administration requesting a speedy approval, which has now been granted. ⤵️ mcgovern.house.gov/news/documents…
17/ Since schools are closed, school districts & community groups have been serving food for kids who normally rely on school meals. On Friday, our delegation called on @USDA to reimburse school districts and after-school programs providing free meals.
18/ Artists, singers, actors, writers, and so many others in the arts and culture community have experienced billion of dollars worth of losses. I joined @chelliepingree & @RepBonamici to request that they get direct & targeted relief. ⤵️
19/ @RepJayapal, @repmarkpocan, @RepChuyGarcia & I are calling on our nation's largest mortgage lenders to halt all foreclosure proceedings. ⤵️
20/20 I'm proud of my work on behalf of #MA02 & all Americans. But there is a lot more to be done. I promise you this: I'll keep working to get results, hold this administration accountable, and fight hard on behalf of our children, families, workers & small businesses.
