Letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House and Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader - Rep. Mike Levin Calls for Economic Stimulus Legislation to Prioritize Working Families
Letter
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer,
Thank you for your strong leadership as our country addresses the COVID-19 crisis. Your work in the House of Representatives is saving lives across the nation.
I write to respectfully urge that any forthcoming legislation to provide assistance to businesses and corporations focus on supporting working families and individuals, as well as our economy. I believe any legislation must also include critical accountability measures that will safeguard taxpayer dollars.
The COVID-19 pandemic is inflicting significant economic damage on communities in my district, especially for individuals who work in the service industry that depends on travelers and business conferences visiting San Diego and Orange Counties. My region hosts tens of millions of visitors annually, and I am concerned that drastically reduced travel and restaurant spending will put the livelihoods of many of my constituents at risk.
As you consider legislative solutions to stimulate our economy and provide relief to industry, I request full consideration of the following principles:
Corporations receiving aid should be prohibited from devoting resources to stock buybacks and executive bonuses.
Organizations receiving relief should prioritize keeping their workers employed with the same or better benefits that they enjoyed before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Businesses receiving aid must abide by U.S. laws covering environmental standards, fair labor practices, and relevant tax laws.
We should consider the establishment an independent authority that is designated to oversee the assistance program. Oversight should also include significant penalties for bad actors.
The non-profit community must be included. Aid organizations, museums, and cultural establishments are suffering as visitors stay at home and donations dry up.
I thank you for your continued leadership and appreciate your consideration of these important provisions.
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