Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s inadequate COVID-19 relief proposal:

“The Trump Administration’s coronavirus relief proposal fails America’s most vulnerable working families, who are losing their lives and livelihoods to this devastating pandemic. After five months of inaction after the House passed the Heroes Act to crush the virus, protect frontline workers, and provide essential relief and protections to working families, the Trump Administration has now put forth another weak proposal that does not come close to meeting the needs of those suffering.

“Right now, an estimated 14 million families are at risk of eviction and homelessness, which is why Democrats have persistently pushed to provide robust emergency rental assistance to help them keep the roof over their head, in addition to other life-saving provisions to prevent evictions and foreclosures. The Trump Administration’s misguided action to temporarily delay evictions is no substitute for the Heroes Act’s strong tenant protections and rental relief that would help people remain stably housed. At the same time, the Administration has refused to join us to support strong measures to prevent homelessness and protect those experiencing homelessness.

“Consumers, student borrowers, community financial institutions and the many others being devastated by the pandemic and economic crisis would also be left behind by the Trump proposal.

“Small businesses are also in dire need of additional relief. Local restaurants are being devastated by this economic crisis, which is why Democrats secured $120 billion in the Heroes Act to be a lifeline for the 11 million people employed by restaurants in America. Yet, the Trump Administration’s proposal leaves behind restaurants and other vulnerable businesses, with a one-size-fits-all approach that abandons those failed by PPP.

“Democrats have worked in good faith to negotiate a relief package with Republicans. The Trump Administration needs to get serious about recognizing the catastrophe facing millions of our most vulnerable families, and must embrace the updated Heroes Act to avert further devastation in the lives of the American people.”

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