Letter to the Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Hon. Steny Hoyer, House Majority Leader - House Members Applaud Efforts to Reach COVID-19 Relief Deal, Following Letter Urging Leadership to Negotiate

Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer:

We write to urge you to continue bipartisan negotiations with our Republican colleagues and the Administration, so that we may deliver meaningful relief for the American people. It is essential that we send the Senate a compromise bill before the election that is reasonable and that can be signed into law by the President of the United States.

Just last week, President Trump said on COVID-19 relief negotiations, "I like the larger amount. Some of the Republicans disagree, but I think I can convince them to go along with that." Our families, small businesses, and communities are hurting. It would be unacceptable for us to return to our Districts without passing meaningful legislation.

Given the massive impact on this pandemic on our communities, we cannot leave until we pass much-needed relief in the areas of: COVID-19 testing, state and local aid, unemployment insurance, direct stimulus payments, support for small businesses and non-profits, food security, broadband, funding for schools and child care, housing, and agriculture support, among other pressing priorities. Our constituents expect us to put the best interests of our communities and our country before partisan politics. In the midst of this once-in-a-century pandemic, it is critical that we remain at the table and negotiate meaningful legislation for the American people.

Passing a bipartisan COVID-19 relief package should be our number one priority in the coming days. It is our request that you continue to negotiate towards a bipartisan deal. Otherwise, a discharge petition is the only potential option for COVID-19 related action on the House Floor and we do not believe that is the best path forward. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that Americans can receive the urgent relief they need as quickly as possible.