Thread by @RepKatiePorter

Last week, I voted for the coronavirus relief bill, which the President has *finally* signed into law after a week of delay. I know the legislation isn’t perfect, so I want to have an honest conversation about what it does and doesn’t do. (THREAD)

First things first: Americans have waited too long to get help. While the House passed a relief bill in May, the Senate didn’t take it up or pass legislation of its own. People needed (and still need) sustained help until the pandemic is over, not a one-and-done bill.

There are some things today’s bill does well, including the extension of assistance for people out of work, people facing housing or food insecurity, and small businesses. Our office is preparing a guide for what help is available to Orange County families (available soon).

In addition, this legislation includes bills I wrote to strengthen mental health coverage and protect Americans with high medical expenses.

https://twitter.com/RepKatiePorter/status/1341460330245865474?s=20

I am glad the bill does not include Senator McConnell’s corporate giveaway, which I called out as a license to kill for big companies that don’t take appropriate steps to protect workers, consumers, and patients from COVID-19.

https://twitter.com/RepKatiePorter/status/1336484553435697160?s=20

There are places where this bill falls short. Among them:
- $600 checks aren’t enough and don’t make up for months of delay
- No support for local government budgets stretched thin to help families
- Insufficient transparency on small business loan program

Still, I believe the relief bill signed into law today represents a step in the right direction, even with its imperfections. The coronavirus pandemic is too dire for us to do nothing. It’s not about stimulus; it’s about survival.

https://twitter.com/RepKatiePorter/status/1334586597853970432?s=20

Just as I was an early voice for free testing, direct payments to families, and business loan program transparency, I will continue to fight to get people the help they need to weather this crisis. We can and must do more. (END)