Rep. Lee, Problem Solvers Caucus Bring Parties Together, Strike Deal for Long-Awaited COVID-19 Relief Package
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep Susie Lee (Nev.-03), member of the Problem Solvers Caucus that was pivotal in relief negotiations, released the following statement on the House of Representatives passing an end-of-year COVID-19 pandemic relief package:
"It's about time. I'm glad that at least this got done, but our work is far from over. The Problem Solvers Caucus proposal, which helped restart negotiations at the start of the month, served as the framework for this final package. If you want proof that Republicans and Democrats working together, in good faith, is the best way to get things done, here it is.
"To every family scared about making ends meet, to our healthcare workers laying their lives on the line every single day to protect us, and to every worker and small business owner forced to tread water for months without the relief they need, more help is finally on the way. This package includes expanded unemployment benefits, direct payments to working families, small business relief, aid for hospitals and frontline workers, funding for vaccine distribution, and more critical relief.
"Let's be clear though. This is not a victory lap moment for Congress. It's a wake-up call. This cannot be the last COVID-19 relief package we pass. $300 per week in unemployment relief and $600 in direct assistance for working families will not be enough. Direct aid for states and communities was also glaringly missing from this package, which is unacceptable. States like Nevada have been economically devastated by COVID-19. Our states need direct assistance as they face massive budget cuts because of lost revenue during this pandemic. Our schools, hospitals, police departments, and communities need direct relief, desperately.
"This relief package was our emergency chute, and I'm glad we pulled it in time. But recovery from this pandemic will be long and difficult and will only be reached if we work together, in good faith, from here on out."
BACKGROUND: On Dec. 1, the Problem Solvers Caucus and a bipartisan group of senators announced a $908 billion, bipartisan COVID-19 emergency relief framework to help American students, families, small businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis.
After months of failed progress on relief talks, this most recent bipartisan proposal from the Problem Solvers Caucus jumpstarted negotiations between the White House and Congressional leadership.
In June 2020, Rep. Lee authored an op-ed in the Las Vegas Review Journal highlighting the need for direct relief to states and localities.