House Democrats introduced a COVID-19 package that includes much stronger provisions to protect public health and to ensure economic security for all, unlike the Senate bill which favors billions for corporate bailouts and leaves many people out. The House bill is more inclusive of working families, including immigrant families — an approach that will more effectively protect the public health of one and all.
The following is a statement by Douglas Rivlin, Director of Communication for America’s Voice:
The Senate Republican bill did nothing for the many, and a lot for the few. The House bill introduced by Speaker Pelosi takes a more inclusive view of the ‘public’ in ‘public health’ and rightly includes immigrants and their families as part of the ‘we’ in ‘we are all in this together.’
When facing a public health crisis as broad as COVID-19, leaving people out undermines the purpose of the legislation. If we want to keep Americans safe, excluding some workers and their families hurts all of us. The reality is that immigrants and their families live in our communities and every family’s health and well-being impacts the health and well-being of all of us.
We are all in the same boat when it comes to the virus. The virus doesn’t check immigration papers, citizenship status, or ability to pay when it hurts our communities. Nor should our government response.
The health of the people who are on the frontlines of our health care, food and farming industries — many of them immigrants — are interconnected with our families, neighbors and communities. America is learning that our individual safety and well-being is inextricably linked with the health and well-being of everyone else. We are proud that the House of Representatives recognizes this truth and it is reflected in this critically-important legislation.
