Public Citizen Statement on Congressional COVID-19 Stimulus Deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president of Public Citizen, released the following statement following news that congressional leaders reached an agreement on a coronavirus assistance package:
“Our nation has been waiting far too long for relief, and so today’s stimulus deal marks a delayed but critical victory for regular Americans who are suffering deeply. We are happy to see the package includes jobless benefits, direct payments to individuals and money for vaccine distribution, among other things, and that they also moved the $1.4 trillion omnibus to keep the lights on in government.
“We also applaud Democrats for pushing back on the proposed last-minute inclusion of a provision that would have tied the hands of incoming President-elect Biden’s team to prop up the economy through lending via the federal reserve. Fighting to keep that poison pill out was a herculean task, and essential for our economic security.
“It is also a success for regular Americans that the provision to give corporations immunity is nowhere in sight. We remain vigilant to push back on its inclusion in any future stimulus, and ready to fight once again for the most robust overall package at the start of the 117th Congress.”