Joyce Calls on Congress to Stay in Session, Work Until COVID-19 Relief Deal Is Reached

WASHINGTON, DC– Last night, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) called on Congressional leadership to hold a vote on an emergency COVID-19 relief bill before the current legislative session ends. The letter, which Joyce signed alongside 31 of his Republican colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus, was sent to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chick Schumer.

“We cannot leave Washington without reaching a bipartisan, bicameral deal,” the lawmakers wrote. “The American people are suffering. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, the virus is devastating our public health systems, inflicting economic damage on the nation, and disrupting our communities.”

In their letter, the lawmakers also urge Congressional leadership to bring their bipartisan, bicameral relief framework, which was unveiled on December 1, 2020, up for consideration.

“The $908 billion emergency relief framework outlined by a bipartisan group of House members and Senators is the framework that can pass both chambers and reach the President’s desk for a signature,” said the lawmakers. “We respectfully request you guarantee a vote will be held on an emergency relief bill before Congress ends this legislative session. Let’s get this done.”

Throughout the pandemic, Joyce has called on Congressional leadership to put politics aside and mitigate the impact COVID-19 has had on the American people. In August, Joyce joined 17 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle in sending a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, urging them to immediately resume negotiations to confront the health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In September, Joyce joined his colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus in unveiling a bipartisan relief proposal to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 relief package and encourage negotiators to get back to the table. Additional actions Joyce has taken to address the negative impact this pandemic has had in Ohio include but are not limited to:

• Introducing the Isolate COVID-19 Actto slow the spread of COVID-19 and give a boost to struggling businesses
• Securing over $100 billion for hospitals and health systemsin the CARES Act
• Cosponsoring legislationto support local mental health and addiction treatment facilities during the pandemic
• Joining Laketran to distribute groceries to seniors and other high-risk populations in need
• Addressing the need for expanded broadband serviceswith Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05)
• Urging Congress to expand Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) flexibility for states and local governments
• Introducing legislationto provide benefits to the families of first responders and public safety officers killed by COVID-19
• Calling on Congress to combat the rise in opioid-related deathsamid the pandemic
• Introducing the Air Carrier Worker Support Extension Act of 2020 with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (VI-At Large) to prevent massive layoffs and disruptions to the U.S. airline industry, which supports 158,094 Ohio jobs
• Urging the Administration to extend full federal funding for the Ohio National Guardsmen and womensupporting the Buckeye State’s COVID-19 response
• Holding a virtual roundtable to address the COVID-19 impact on Northeast Ohio Veterans
• Introducing legislationto protect student loan forgiveness for public servants impacted by COVID-19
• Demanding the IRS address the inaccessibility of the Economic Impact Payment system
• Addressing the impact of COVID-19 on victims of sexual and domestic violence

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