WASHINGTON, D.C.—In response to the news that 6.6 million people filed initial unemployment claims this week, People’s Action Director George Goehl released the following statement:
“Today’s unemployment numbers show that Congress must pass a People’s Bailout immediately. These numbers are 10 times higher than the worst weeks of the 2008 crisis. The question is not, ‘Do we need more big legislative packages?’ The question is, ‘Will Washington think big enough and move fast enough to protect lives and livelihoods?’
“Last week’s bill was larded with huge corporate giveaways, and Trump made it clear he would ignore Congress’s attempts at oversight over his corporate cash handouts. If Congress doesn’t stop them, big multinational corporations will consolidate power in the economy and in politics while workers and small businesses get crushed.
“This pandemic is the biggest crisis our nation has faced in a century. It requires big ideas and swift action to help everyday people pay bills and stay in their homes. We also need a massive jobs program to get people to work when the social distancing restrictions lift and as a down payment on a just, sustainable economy.”
People’s Action is one of the sponsors of The People’s Bailout, a set of five principles backed by 500+ organizations. These principles include:
- Health is the top priority, for all people, with no exceptions
- Economic relief must be provided directly to the people
- Rescue workers and communities, not corporate executives
- Make a downpayment on a regenerative economy while preventing future crises
- Protect our democratic process while protecting each other
Learn more at https://www.thepeoplesbailout.org and https://www.peoplesaction.org.
About People’s Action
People’s Action is a national network of 40 state and local grassroots, power-building organizations united in fighting for justice. Our organization recently released a vision for a national Homes Guarantee that has already prompted major legislation from champions including U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib. We operate the largest progressive rural organizing project in the country. Prior to endorsing Sen. Bernie Sanders for president, we completed a national forum series that The Nation called “the most in-depth, people-powered forum” of the 2020 cycle.”
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