Category: Safety Net
GOP under fire for slipping $30 billion pentagon gift into Coronavirus bill
“F-35s Don’t Help Families Pay Their Bills” “Just how twisted is the Senate GOP coronavirus bill you ask? It includes $686 million for new F-35 fighter jets.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, July 28 In…
GOP plan to slash unemployment benefits by $1,600 per month condemned as ‘absolutely unacceptable’
“The country is on fire and the chief concern for Senate Republicans is that unemployed people have too much money.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, July 27 Progressives are rejecting out of hand a proposal…
Despite surging need amid pandemic, GOP moves to rollback SNAP when food assistance ‘Matters now more than ever’
“SNAP delivered. Like it always does.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Monday, July 20 Pointing to the success of the SNAP food assistance program during the coronavirus pandemic, economists on Monday said Republicans’ plan to end…
White House pushes ‘pure giveaway’ to rich investors while urging cut to pandemic unemployment aid
Recipients of the enhanced unemployment benefit could see the aid slashed by more than 50% under a plan being discussed by the Trump administration and GOP by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, July 14 The Trump…
Sanders calls on ‘Do-Nothing’ Senate to approve $2,000 monthly checks, cancel rent, and expand Medicare
“This I know: nothing will happen unless the American people stand up, fight back, and demand, in overwhelming numbers, that the Senate act.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, July 6 Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday…
Should environmentalists embrace Universal Basic Income?
Cash payments from the government could help ease the transition to a climate-safe economy and weather the natural and economic storms to come. by Tara Lohan, The Revelator Sunday, June 28 If you had…
Analysis warns devastation will follow if GOP cuts off $600 unemployment boost
“It would be a catastrophe to let these turn off and replace them with nothing.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 26 A leading progressive economist warned Friday that devastating job losses and income cuts…
Supplemental unemployment has been life changing
by Wade Rathke New Orleans What could possibly be good about a pandemic? OK, not much, but…there are some things that have turned out to be a complete win. The one that I hear over…
Capital One and other debt collectors are still coming for millions of Americans
As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Americans got protection from evictions, foreclosures and student debt. But debt collectors have continued to siphon off their share of paychecks from those who still have jobs. by Paul Kiel and…
Nearly 60% of Americans support extending boosted unemployment benefits as Trump and McConnell say let them expire
“The across-the-board $600 increase in weekly unemployment benefits should be extended well past its expiration at the end of July—until unemployment is falling rapidly and is at a manageable level.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday,…
With over 100,000 dead and depression-level unemployment, Sanders calls McConnell’s sandbagging of Covid-19 relief ‘Incomprehensible’
“Our most vulnerable communities are hungry, desperate and under enormous emotional stress. The American people want action from Congress and they want it NOW. by Jon Queally, staff writer Sunday, May 31 Sen. Bernie Sanders over…
Democratic congressman calls for probe into former White House official’s $3 million mask deal
Trump’s former deputy chief of staff won a $3 million federal contract just days after registering his company. He delivered masks to Navajo hospitals that may not work. Rep. Gerry Connolly asked the HHS inspector general’s…
Mutual aid and governmental responsibility
by Wade Rathke New Orleans Mutual aid or solidarity work has long been a feature of political activity in times of crisis and often at all times. ACORN affiliates around the world have been involved…
Rent is still due in Kushnerville
Government stimulus checks and a temporary ban on evictions are tiding over the suddenly jobless residents of housing complexes owned by Jared Kushner’s company. But what will happen when both soon run out? …
Demanding ‘unprecedented’ action from Congress, Sanders says HEROES Act must include Medicare expansion and $2,000 monthly payments
“The Senate must improve this legislation if we are to adequately address the two most urgent needs facing working families right now: healthcare and economic security.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, May 14 Sen. Bernie…
Poor People’s Campaign: We refuse to allow politicians and big corporations to balance state budgets by denying rights
Leaders are using the lie of scarcity to place the burden of the crisis on the poor while billionaires are becoming even richer and large corporations are getting bailouts. by Rev Dr Liz Theoharis Friday, May…
Because one check ‘not nearly enough,’ Harris, Sanders, and Markey bill would provide $2,000 monthly payments for rest of Covid-19 crisis
“If we can bail out large corporations, we can make sure that everyone in this country has enough income to pay for the basic necessities of life.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, May 8 Sens….
Schumer says Democrats about to go “Rooseveltian” on Covid-19 relief. Progressives say we hope so
“Let’s see what they propose. Not holding hope too high though.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Thursday, May 7 After Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer promised in an interview Thursday that he and House…
Rural America deserves a real Covid-19 response
Rural residents are more likely to be older and uninsured, while 350 rural hospitals are at risk of closing. They can’t afford neglect now. By Gloria Oladipo April 29, 2020 As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, many…
Trump says no to additional Covid-19 stimulus checks, backs cutting tax that funds Social Security instead
“Cutting payroll taxes does nothing to help seniors or the millions of people who just lost their jobs. It does, however, defund Social Security and Medicare—which is why Trump is obsessed with the idea.” by Jake…
Democrats urged to end delay, fight like hell for Covid-19 relief that puts people first
“If these are truly legislative priorities for members of Congress, as they should be, they need to start fighting for them.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Progressive frustration with the Democratic leadership is boiling over following…
Ocasio-Cortez Rejects Settling for Crumbs in Next Covid-19 Stimulus
‘Incrementalism Is Not Helpful in This Moment’ “I’m not here for a $5 bill. And I will not insult my community with one.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the only Democrat in Congress…
The poor and workers are being hammered
Pearl River As the economic numbers become more stark, and the economy teeters towards something closer to a depression than a recession, the impact on workers and the poor that has been hidden in plain…
Despite Federal Ban, Landlords are still moving to evict people during the pandemic
ProPublica found landlords in at least four states have violated the ban, which was put in place by the CARES Act but has no clear enforcement mechanism. by Jeff Ernsthausen, Ellis Simani and Justin Elliott April…
