FLOOR SPEECH: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Calls for COVID-19 Relief Bill

After the Senate recessed for Thanksgiving without passing a COVID-19 relief bill, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) took to the House Floor today to call for federal support for the millions of Americans who are hungry, unemployed and facing eviction as we head into the holiday season. The full video of her remarks can be viewed down below. 

“We cannot afford to wait for a new administration or another election or a new political state of play. We need to get people help now,” said the Congresswoman in her remarks. “Our country is going hungry the week before Thanksgiving and the Senate broke. I don’t care what [political] party you are. It is an abandonment of our responsibilities.”

The last federal relief package to be signed into law was passed in March. The House passed subsequent relief bills in May and October but the Senate Majority Leader has refused to hold a vote on these bills.

As cases of COVID-19 surge across the country, millions of Americans currently find themselves unemployed and without federal support heading into the holiday season. The number of Americans living in poverty grew by 8 million since just May of 2020, and 40 million U.S. households are projected for eviction by year’s end.