It is well known that COVID-19 has taken a sizable toll on the people of this country, the overall economy and many other facets of this nation. We have seen one of the worst economic downturns in history, 30 million lost jobs, 12 million have lost health insurance and 40 million are facing evictions this very moment. On top of all of that we have seen the richest 15 Americans gain over $400 billion dollars in wealth combined. We have yet to see any action from the Federal government yet again. The government has given out one single coronavirus relief check, and that was in May. The amount of government inaction is unprecedented and wrong. Here’s what the federal government must ensure in their next relief package and do what must be done for working people of this country.

First, the government must ensure that people are receiving stimulus checks every month, which should be no less than $1,200 per month. There have been proposals by members of Congress which would give each adult $2,000 per month until the pandemic is over with. While these proposals would be expensive for the country, we cannot negate the fact that just last month Congress approved a $740 billion dollar military spending bill. Senate Republicans released their COVID relief bill, which includes less money for weekly unemployment benefits and tax breaks for the rich. 

Sens. Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey want to dramatically expand support during the coronavirus crisis by sending $2,000 monthly payments to most Americans https://t.co/bsxXahdAyW

— POLITICO (@politico) May 8, 2020

Now is not the time for Congress to be giving the already powerful, more wealth and power. It’s simply not acceptable. We have the money, we can do what’s right to make sure people can live with a little bit of comfort while we are enduring a global pandemic.

The United States is the only industrialized country in the entire world that does not guarantee healthcare to all people as a right. As stated earlier, we have seen 12 million people lose their health insurance. Congress has done nothing to help those that are without healthcare. While there have been plans, again, Congress has not acted on them. 

One plan in specific would expand Medicare and provide healthcare to everyone and would be paid for by taxing billionaires’ profits during this crisis. Many might say this is too much for us to take on as a nation, but when 125,000 people have died and there are over 6 million cases nationwide, I think we have greater obligations to ensure that everyone, when sick, should be able to see a doctor when they need one. This must be a priority in the next coronavirus relief package.

That is why today, @BernieSanders, @GillibrandNY, and I introduced the #MakeBillionairesPay Act to tax billionaires’ profits during this pandemic 60% and pay for every American’s out-of-pocket health care costs for a full year.

— Ed Markey (@EdMarkey) August 6, 2020

These are just a few things that Congress should do, but there are things you can do as well. Reach out to your local representatives and US Senators, and demand the changes you would like to see in the next Corona relief package.

In this time of great uncertainty, we must hold our elected officials to account and demand more of them. We can have all the changes, but only if we are willing to fight for them.