Rep. Richmond Calls for Urgent and Robust Coronavirus Legislation

Press Release

Today, Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) issued the following statement calling for immediate cash assistance to help working families amid growing coronavirus concerns:

"On April 1st, people will be faced with paying mortgages and rents, and we are not doing enough for them," said Rep. Richmond. "The Families First Coronavirus Response Act is a necessary first step in taking on this urgent public health and economic challenge. However, an inadequate bipartisan bill only means this initial effort is a bipartisan failure to meet the needs of all people.

"We must promptly enact legislation that provides individual cash assistance immediately like FEMA has deployed during past disasters. This week, I called on President Trump and House Speaker Pelosi to get this done. The mother who suddenly has to worry about paying for childcare since schools are closing on top of other urgent bills cannot afford it without help. The musician whose livelihood is dependent on local gigs cannot afford to make ends meet without an audience. The waiter whose hours have been reduced cannot rely on Unemployment Insurance to make up the difference. We must also protect people from being evicted during this time. Forty percent of Americans currently do not have $400 in their pockets to cover an emergency expense, and millions of people will be woefully unprepared to survive financially in the midst of this crisis.

"With strained state and local resources, it is the responsibility of Congress to lead and act in times of great uncertainty--especially in the absence of presidential leadership. That time is now. As we consider future relief packages, I am committed to fighting for the funding our local governments and residents desperately need."

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