Washington, D.C. — In response to Leader McConnell and Senate Republicans’ proposed coronavirus relief bill, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Legislative Director Matthew Davis:

“The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing deep injustices in our country. Environmental injustice, systemic racism, and structural inequality in our country are driving higher coronavirus infection and death rates in communities of color, and Leader McConnell and Senate Republicans don’t seem to notice or care. 

“This proposal fails on all fronts and stands in stark contrast to the House-passed HEROES Act and Moving America Forward Act. Republicans’ proposed relief package leaves out critical funding for state, local, and tribal governments, comprehensive COVID-19 testing, tracking, and health care, slashes unemployment support, leaves the safety and security of our elections in jeopardy, and ultimately does little to bolster the long-term health and safety of our communities. Congress should instead use this opportunity to safeguard communities and build a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. Any relief package must protect frontline workers, support families struggling with the economic and health ramifications of this pandemic, protect our democracy, ensure everyone has clean water, and make transformative investments in safe, healthy communities powered by clean energy.”

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