WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) released the following statement on H.R. 748 – the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act:

“Our nation is in a crisis right now. I have consistently affirmed that we must provide universal access to medical testing and care and put forward bold measures that bail out our workers and families—not corporations. Like so many districts across the nation, the Massachusetts 7th is in desperate need of equipment and resources. What I have heard constantly from our nurses, our Mayors, our workers and families, and small business owners, is ‘we are in dire straits and we need help fast.’ That’s why my team and I have been working with partners at every level of government to marshal resources, coordinate responses, provide guidance, and do whatever we can to keep our communities and neighbors safe.

“The CARES Act will provide some desperately needed aid to our community health centers and hospitals, and our workers and families during this public health emergency. This bill will provide direct cash assistance, pause foreclosures and evictions, provide temporary payment relief to student loan borrowers, and get resources to those experiencing homelessness and those behind the wall. This bill was made better by the hard-fought negotiations led by Democrats and the pressure of advocates, activists and labor leaders.

“But let me be clear, with a $2 trillion bill, Congress had the chance to fundamentally address the persistent inequities and disparities in our healthcare system and economy head on.  We had the chance to make testing and treatment free and accessible for ALL and unemployment and emergency paid leave truly universal. This bill doesn’t do that.

“This bill provides short-term stop gap relief for workers, families and small businesses while providing massive bail outs to corporations and industry. The bill also goes out of the way to leave behind our immigrant neighbors in a time of crisis.

“Our work is far from over. As Congress moves to begin working on the next relief package, I will continue to fight to center the most vulnerable members of our community. No one should be left out or left behind.”

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