SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Tuesday, DFL members and members-elect of the Minnesota House of Representatives sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, calling on them to return to negotiations for COVID-19 economic relief legislation.
“The election is over. A record number of Americans expressed their voice through vote and the results are clear. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 global pandemic is far from over,” wrote the DFL legislators. “In Minnesota and across our country, the virus is surging and people are suffering. We urge you to return to the negotiating table to help people who are desperate for your leadership amidst a pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 2,700 Minnesotans and 200,000 Americans.”
The letter comes at a time when Minnesota is experiencing record-breaking cases of COVID-19, hospitals are under enormous strain, homelessness is increasing, Minnesotans are struggling to afford their rent, and small businesses continue to struggle in the midst of a global pandemic. All the while, a new COVID relief package has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and awaits action from the U.S. Senate.
Along with urging action on a new COVID relief package, legislators are requesting more flexibility to utilize resources allocated to state and local governments in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“The need for the pandemic response in Minnesota will continue well into 2021 and the lack of flexibility to continue using CARES Act funds for expenses beyond Dec. 30 will impede our response as we confront a significant state budget shortfall. We request that you approve an extension so that states like Minnesota can continue to utilize dollars approved in the CARES Act to combat the virus and help weather these economic storms.”
The letter and its 44 signatories can be found here.
