Pass COVID Relief Now

Tell Senators to pass a new COVID Relief Package as Soon as Possible in Order to Protect the Economic Security of Millions of Americans

In just three weeks, unless Congress acts, many of the pandemic relief policies that have been lifelines for our families (like expanded unemployment benefits, emergency paid family leave and earned sick days and eviction protections) will all expire on December 31st. This is happening as COVID cases are soaring and as we learn that nearly twenty-six million adults reported they didn’t have enough food to eat in the past week, including more than one in six adults with children. In addition, the Senate should provide funding for state vaccine distribution, to ensure the best possible take-up rates in the shortest time feasible.

While we have needed this package for months, the crisis point we are facing right now is extreme. Unless Congress takes action within the next few weeks, 12 million people will be immediately kicked off of unemployment insurance and 19 million renters will lose their homes. This is all at the same time that 1 in 4 children are living in hunger because of the impacts of COVID and cases of the virus are soaring in every single state—and only expected to go up as we head into the holidays and colder months.

Any Covid Relief package must include necessary funding for public health measures like expanded testing and tracing capacity, workplace safety measures, and free & equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments.

Inaction is not an option! Our families and economy are hurting and we need our leaders in Congress to know that we expect them to take action NOW! Even if you think your Senator supports COVID relief, we need all of Congress talking about how much they are hearing from their constituents about how urgent this is.

Talking Points

• As the Senate considers a new financial package to provide economic relief to individuals negatively impacted by COVID, and provide funding for state vaccine distribution, please work expeditiously and in good faith.
• This package must provide adequate resources to state and local governments to ensure they can properly run school districts, COVID testing sites, community health programs, and public services through the winter. 
• I urge you to advocate for the extension of key programs set to expire – including unemployment insurance and emergency paid leave, as well as protections against eviction. These programs are critical to assuring that millions of people who have lost their jobs or are facing challenges affording rent, utilities, or feeding and caring for their families get the supports they need during the economically trying times. 
• The package should include necessary public health measures like expanded testing and tracing capacity, workplace safety measures, and free & equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments. 
• If you or your colleagues are concerned about the budgetary implications of a large relief package, consider what will happen if these urgent needs are not met.  It would behoove Congress to put in better measures for ensuring money is going to those who are most impacted, as opposed to corporations and large businesses. 
• Prioritizing our society’s most vulnerable populations at greatest risk of economic insecurity – communities of color, low-income working families, immigrant populations, the aging, people with disabilities, and front-line essential workers – must be a driving and fundamental goal of any COVID relief package. Immigrant populations make critical contributions to our communities and economy. Please make sure that immigrants are included in the relief package and have access to the assistance they need to survive.

Sample Editable Action Alert

I am a Unitarian Universalist from​ [optional: name of congregation and location]​, and a supporter of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice.​ In accordance with two of the key principles of our faith, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and are called to advocate for justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

I urge you to enact a comprehensive and compassionate COVID relief package prior to December 31. I have a deep concern for the people who are being disproportionately impacted economically from the COVID pandemic, specifically people of color, immigrant populations, people with disabilities, the aging and low-income working families and communities.

[Add your own personal experience or community stories, or pick 1-2 talking points from above]

Thank you for your consideration of my [concerns/story]. These challenging times require and deserve bold, compassionate, and courageous leadership. I hope you will rise to the occasion and promote these priorities in the next COVID relief package, which should be enacted before December closes, to help the many in need. I look forward to your response.