Press Releases

“We have grave concerns that this legislation does not protect people in the United States from warrantless surveillance, especially their online activity including web browsing and internet searches,” said CPC Co-Chairs Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Mark Pocan. “Despite some positive reforms, the legislation is far too narrow in scope and would still leave the public vulnerable to invasive online spying and data collection.”

“We cannot in good conscience vote for legislation that violates Americans’ fundamental right to privacy,” continued Congresswoman Jayapal and Congressman Pocan. “Therefore, we will be opposing the bill, as well as recommending a ‘no’ vote to members of the Progressive Caucus. For months, we’ve worked to overhaul the expansive surveillance powers authorized in Section 215. There’s no reason to rush through a multi-year authorization that fails to make critical reforms needed to protect the civil liberties of the American public.”

The Progressive Caucus previously opposed the FISA reauthorization bill considered by the House of Representatives in March.

“One of the Progressive Caucus’s guiding principles as we consider the next relief package is ensuring every action Congress takes addresses inequality. Relief must be focused on those who need it most, and we must resist regressive measures that deliver most benefits to those at the top, while doing little for working families,” the letter notes. “The $160 billion in no-strings-attached handouts was more than aid provided in the CARES Act for hospitals across America...We appreciate your recently stated opposition to these provisions, which are totally unrelated to the pandemic, and urge you to prioritize their repeal in the next relief package.”

The full letter is below.
 

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

Thank you for your leadership as the nation continues to battle the coronavirus and we work together to deliver further relief for those suffering. One of the Progressive Caucus’s guiding principles as we consider the next relief package is ensuring every action Congress takes addresses inequality. Relief must be focused on those who need it most, and we must resist regressive measures that deliver most benefits to those at the top, while doing little for working families.

As small businesses and workers were running out of options last month, Republicans tucked into the CARES Act tax breaks for “net operating losses” that will overwhelmingly benefit the super-rich and large corporations. The $160 billion in no-strings-attached handouts was more than aid provided in the CARES Act for hospitals across America. At a time when workers need a paycheck guarantee and monthly direct cash assistance, the Joint Committee on Taxation found that those with $1 million or more in annual income, who will enjoy 82% of the benefits of one provision, will get an average of $1.6 million each. We appreciate your recently stated opposition to these provisions, which are totally unrelated to the pandemic, and urge you to prioritize their repeal in the next relief package.

We also urge opposition to further tax breaks targeted at the wealthy few and large corporations. Corporate lobbyists are pushing for numerous handouts that have little to do with the pandemic and more to do with locking in or expanding the windfall they reaped from the Republican tax scam in ways that will not promote economic recovery. Whether in the form of tax breaks, loans, or other federal support, any assistance to corporations must at the very least come with adequate guardrails to ensure workers benefit instead of executives and wealthy shareholders. However, our focus as Democrats must be on advancing relief measures that put assistance directly into the hands of the working families that need it most.

Thank you for your continued leadership and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mark Pocan

Pramila Jayapal

Lloyd Doggett 

Wednesday’s hearing will be chaired by CPC Executive Board members Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16). The hearing will examine the various factors – including health disparities, economic inequality, and inhumane detention practices – that have put communities of color at greater risk in this pandemic.

Wednesday's virtual hearing will be available to watch live here.

WHAT: CPC Remote Hearing; “A Just Response: Addressing Racial and Economic Disparities in the COVID-19 Pandemic”

WHO: 

• Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13)
• Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16)
• CPC Co-Chair Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)
• Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Reverend Dr. William J. Barber, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign
• Dr. James E.K. Hildreth, Ph.D, M.D., 12th President and Chief Executive Officer of Meharry Medical College
• Nayna Gupta, Associate Director of Policy, National Immigrant Justice Center
• Christina Paz, CEO of Centro San Vicente

WHERE: The hearing will air live on the Progressive Caucus’s Facebook Page

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6th at 2:00pm Eastern/11:00am Pacific

“While important, the interim legislation passed by Congress today comes nowhere close to meeting the needs of families across this country. More than 47,000 Americans have died, 26 million people are unemployed, and there is no end in sight to this crisis.

“Congress must do far more to direct relief to the everyday families who need help the most. We’re pleased that Speaker Pelosi has committed to drafting a CARES-2 bill that originates in the House, with input from all House Democrats. We must pass bold legislation that meets the scale of this crisis and that is grounded in justice, equity and inclusion.

“Two weeks ago, we sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi outlining our four priorities for the next big coronavirus response legislation, namely:

1. keeping people on payrolls through worksharing and a paycheck guarantee;
2. providing economic relief;
3. protecting public health;
4. and safeguarding our elections. 

“By centering these principles in the next package, and ensuring that these programs are open to all, regardless of immigration status, Congress can show that we are putting people first.

“We cannot afford to think small in a time that calls for bold and decisive action. House Democrats must lead with vision and urgency by passing a CARES-2 bill that meets the immense needs of this moment.”