NYS Legislators Urge US Senate to Extend Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

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July 17, 2020

The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 

The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Leaders McConnell and Schumer:

In late March, Congress passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was subsequently signed into law.  This economic relief package provided Americans with direct assistance and protection for those who had lost their jobs due to COVID-19.

The additional Unemployment Insurance (UI) assistance to workers impacted by COVID-19 has been a lifeline for many who suddenly found themselves out of work and struggling to pay their mortgages or rent, pay for groceries and provide for their families.  In particular, the additional $600 per week Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which is set to expire on July 31, 2020, has provided families with a sense of security that they will weather this storm.  

It is imperative that funding for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation extend beyond July 31, 2020.  Without it, many individuals who are still out of work, due to no fault of their own, will face difficult decisions of whether to put food on the table or pay their bills.  Therefore, we are calling on you to extend this form of UI for the millions of Americans who are still unemployed due to COVID-19. 

Due to Congressional action, Americans have the resources necessary to pay their bills and support their families during this time, but economic uncertainty remains.  We urge you to work with your Senate conferences and your colleagues in the House of Representatives to extend Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation beyond July 31 as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued leadership during this unprecedented crisis.

Sincerely,

James F. Gaughran 5^th Senate District
Jamaal T. Bailey, 36^th Senate District
Liz Krueger, 28^th Senate District
Brian A Benjamin, 30^th Senate District
John C Liu, 11^th Senate District
Alessandra Biaggi, 34^th Senate District
Monica R. Martinez, 3^rd Senate District
John E. Brooks, 8^th Senate District
Rachel May, 53^rd Senate District
Leroy Comrie, 14^th Senate District
Shelley B Mayer, 37^th Senate District
Michael Gianaris, 12^th Senate District
Jen Metzger, 42^nd Senate District
Andrew Gounardes, 22^nd Senate District
Velmanette Montgomery, 25^th Senate District
Brad Hoylman, 27^th Senate District
Jessica Ramos, 13^th Senate District
Robert Jackson, 31^st Senate District
Gustavo Rivera, 33^rd Senate District
Todd Kaminsky, 9^th Senate District
Diane J Savino, 23^rd Senate District
Anna Kaplan, 7^th Senate District
James Skoufis, 39^th Senate District
Brian Kavanagh, 26^th Senate District
Kevin Thomas, 6^th Senate District
Tim Kennedy, 63^rd Senate District