New York, NY (October 7, 2020)–On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump effectively killed ongoing negotiations on a stimulus package via Twitter. Last Friday, House Democrats passed a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief package which expanded much-needed relief to all immigrant New Yorkers, regardless of their status, and negotiations between House Speaker Pelosi and Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnunchin resumed after weeks of deadlock. Yet the President abruptly declared an end to the talks shortly after. The move comes less than two days after the President left Walter Reed Medical Center after contracting the COVID-19 virus and over 210,000 Americans have lost their lives to the virus.
In response to President Trump’s decision to end the negotiations for another round of stimulus relief, Murad Awawdeh, Interim Co-Executive Director of NYIC Action, issued the following statement.
“Trump has given up on COVID relief, while immigrant New Yorkers keep fighting to help our country recover. According to a new poll, 74% of voters believe the Senate should prioritize COVID relief over confirming Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. Yet, the Trump administration has thrown in the towel on stimulus relief talks while pushing forward a political agenda that only serves the GOP. Instead of demanding Senate Republicans work with Democrats to help families keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table, he is stonewalling with lies and misdirection aimed at playing to his base.
But we haven’t given up on America. We’ll still keep fighting to help this country recover, and come November the electoral choice will be clear - the politicians who’ve given up on recovery and relief, and the candidates who are still fighting for the future of this country every day.”