Letter to the Hon. Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader of the United States Senate - Rosen, Jones, and Hassan Lead Senators in Demanding McConnell Have Senate Work Through Weekend Until Bipartisan Deal Reached

Letter

Dear Leader McConnell:

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. has been relentless, bringing about a public health crisis and an economy teetering on the edge of catastrophe. Across the country, Americans are fearful and anxious as loved ones get sick, families go hungry, small businesses go under, and workers continue to go without pay. State and local coffers have run dry, tenants can't afford the rent, state unemployment systems are overwhelmed, and over 150,000 Americans have died. Despite this, it has been over four months since the Senate passed a comprehensive relief package, and the relief we provided is running out.

In the circumstances we find ourselves, it is imperative that the Senate be in session through the remainder of this weekend and all of next week -- working not on partisan nominations, but on bipartisan coronavirus relief for the American people. Across the country right now, scientists, health care professionals and essential workers are working around the clock to keep our country functioning, maximize resources, and develop innovative ways to protect the health of our nation and save lives. As they work day in and day out, Congress needs to do the same. The need for additional legislation has been clear for months, and it is long past time for the Senate to get to work in earnest.

Though we may not agree on every aspect of how to address this crisis, we stand ready to work with you and our colleagues in both parties to deliver timely, targeted, and thoughtful relief to the American people. With this in mind and with federal unemployment benefits having expired last night, we implore you to bring the Senate back into session this weekend and pass bipartisan legislation to help working Americans and families.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,