This has been an enormously difficult year for everyone, particularly for Americans whose jobs providing essential services to all our communities seriously increases their risk of contracting COVID 19. With more than 280,000 Americans dead and millions more sick and at risk, the need for paid sick and family leave provisions to protect their health and our economy is clearly urgent. But the emergency leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) passed in spring 2020 are scheduled to expire in just a few weeks on December 31. Time’s almost out, so we must act now to extend FFCRA leave. During the worst health crisis in a century, every American must be able to take time to recover while sick or to take needed care of a loved one without having to fear losing a paycheck. Extending the paid time off benefits provided by FFCRA will not only help hardworking American families, it will also help prevent further spread of the virus in our workplaces while boosting productivity and consumer confidence. | |
But American workers are running out of time. A bipartisan group of senators deserve great thanks for developing a desperately needed new round of COVID relief, but the new relief does not include extending FFCRA leave benefits. The Senate must restore this essential missing component to protect all our health, boost our economy and send a vital message of justice and gratitude to America’s front-line workers who have been providing care for the sick and helping to keep our country functioning despite the dangerous COVID crisis. Please take a moment right now to add your name to this sign-on letter urging Congress to include emergency paid leave in the new relief package. The sooner we all sign, the sooner they’ll get our message! | |
