SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — As many are celebrating the end of the year in a few weeks, it also marks the end of federal CARES act funding that’s helped many unemployed Americans.
The Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance will end the day after Christmas.
ABC10 spoke to local congressmen about their take on what's happening in Washington D.C.
“There are several measures everyone should be able to agree on that we ought to pass right now," said Congressman Tom McClintock (R-CA4). “The Democratic alternative is trillions of dollars in blue state bailouts, taxpayer funded stimulus checks for illegal aliens, environmental justice grants, and the early release of prisoners.”
Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA7) also spoke on his priorities.
“At a minimum the programs that are expiring Dec. 31, we gotta extend those,” said Congressman Bera. “The unemployment benefits, the housing support – rental housing assistance eviction moratorium, especially since we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
However, there have been roadblocks on getting a package passed and with people seeing eye to eye.
“If a large relief package is proposed, it’s at least got to be predicated on reopening the economy and protecting businesses from COVID lawsuits, and it has to be targeted to people who’ve actually been financially harmed by the shutdowns and it ought to hold state governments accountable for the damage they’ve done,” Congressman McClintock said. “There should be no state bailouts.”
Meanwhile, Congressman Bera said there needs to be a compromise with local funding.
“That said, if you talk to any of our mayors in Sacramento County or county supervisors or even at the state level, we’re gonna see massive layoffs if we’re not able to support some of the local communities in the county and the state,” Congressman Bera said.
ABC10 asked both congressmen on when or if they might reach a new stimulus package.
“As soon as Schumer and Pelosi get out of the way,” Congressman McClintock said. “There are 186 signatures to get $130 billion in additional PPP money to surviving businesses. I’m one of the signatories."
Congressman Bera is hoping to see results before the end of the congressional session.
“I hope in the next week or two, as we wrap up the 116th Congress, we can get those things done, we get some sort of enhanced unemployment benefits which helped a lot of those early in the pandemic," Congressman Bera said. "If the President wants to send a direct stimulus check, lets get those checks to those who need it and those who lost their jobs and (are) struggling.”
If you have a question for our Dollars and Sense team text us at 916-321-3310.
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