When everybody was hopeful that the pandemic would be over by Easter and it wasn’t Congressman Fred Upton was among the most disappointed. Now, he’s urging the United States Congress to at least get more COVID-19 relief on the books by Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The St. Joseph Republican wants his colleagues to get back to the negotiating table right now. He issued the following statement on the latest negotiations, after a bill passed 214-207 last night with 18 Democrats voting no, and all Republicans voting against the partisan measure that was on the table:
“Folks need help. I hear from so many across southwest Michigan that this pandemic has presented one challenge after another. As much as we all wanted this over by Easter, it wasn’t, and we need to do everything we can to improve it by Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s why I’ve repeatedly called for a bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal and worked day and night with the Problem Solvers Caucus on a framework that could have worked.
Unfortunately, today the House voted on a partisan deal that won’t even be considered by the Senate or signed by the President. It’s no secret a large majority of Americans think our country is on the wrong track – we can’t even agree to deliver help in the worst public health crisis in a century.
I am calling on the White House, Senate leadership, and House leadership to continue talks. Let’s get back to the table and find the bipartisan sweet spot that can navigate the legislative process and help the most vulnerable, schools, airlines, cities, townships, and small businesses.”
On September 15th, Upton and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus unveiled their “March To Common Ground” framework to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 relief package and encourage negotiators to get back to the table. That framework can be seen by clicking this link: https://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401642
