House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer are under pressure from progressive groups to move women — particularly women of color — to the front of the line regarding the allocation of COVID-19 relief funds.
A letter signed by more than 80 organizations called on Democrats to put their thumbs on the metaphorical COVID-19 relief scale due to disparate sociological effects the contagion inflicted upon women.
“The simple truth is that women, especially Black women, Latina women, Asian American and Pacific Islander women, and Indigenous women, have suffered the worst impacts of the pandemic,” the letter, first reported by The Hill, reads.
Some of the groups supporting the move include Women’s March, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Ultraviolet, and Public Citizen.
“They need to be lifted up in the solutions and relief you draft and ultimately pass in Congress,” the groups added. “If we are to truly build back better, we must build an economy that works for women. … There is no time to waste; you must enact bold, inclusive relief. There can be no compromises or watering down when our lives and health are on the line.”
Some of the demands for President Biden’s planned $1.9 trillion relief package include paid leave provisions and tens-of-billions of dollars for child care issues, The Hill reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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