Since the coronavirus struck our shores, my focus has been on keeping Americans safe and ensuring working people don’t get left behind. Their struggles today are greater than ever. Too many have suffered job losses, shrinking income, isolation, and health issues — all while caring for children and other loved ones .


The one-time incentive verification $ 1,200 that many Americans now receive under the CARES law was a good start, but it hasn't gone far enough as this quarantine enters its second month. The rent is still due, credit card bills are still coming, utilities costs still have to be paid, our phone plans are not getting cheaper, and we still need to buy groceries to feed our families. How far do politicians think a $ 1,200 check can extend ?

Every American age 16 and older who earns less $130,000 per year will receive this money .

That is why Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) and I introduced the Emergency Money for the People Act, which will provide almost every American $2,000 per month until employment levels reach pre-coronavirus levels. Every American age 16 and older who earns less $130,000 per year will receive this money tax-free .

Congress recently passed three different bills in response to the coronavirus. They included trillions of dollars of assistance for individuals and businesses, and while I supported all three, we immediately started noticing that many of Rep. Khanna’s constituents in Silicon Valley and my constituents in Youngstown, Ohio were still falling through the cracks.
I spoke to a woman who is low-income and receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI); she takes care of five other people in her home, yet was not eligible for the $1,200 check. I heard from a constituent on disability who has custody of her children, but the $1,200 check went to her former spouse. I talked to a college freshman living by himself, independent of his parents, but he did not qualify for any assistance .
This is just a small snapshot of the what real Americans are going through every day. They deserve a fair shake. They deserve to be cut in on the deal .