05 Aug Veterans to call on Senate to pass $1 trillion in aid to states, cities, towns and schools

Unless the Senate delivers $1 trillion dollars in aid to states, cities, towns and schools to address massive budget shortfalls caused by the coronavirus, our nation’s veterans could face significant job loss and see cuts to public services they depend on such as access to health care through Medicaid.

13% of all veterans work for state and local governments according to the Economic Policy Institute, making state and local government workers more likely to be veterans than workers in the private sector. Already 1.6 million public sector jobs have been lost since the pandemic began, nearly three times more than the entire Great Recession. Unless the Senate acts soon, the everyday heroes who have served our country and who continue to risk their lives to keep our communities safe, healthy and strong will be thanked with pink slips.  

American voters overwhelmingly approve of significant federal funding for states, cities and towns to overcome the devastating economic effects of the coronavirus on the economy and essential public services. Economists also agree that state and local aid is a smart investment, projecting that every dollar spent protecting public services will yield $1.70 in additional GDP. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also called on the Senate to urgently pass state and local aid to prevent massive layoffs and cuts to vital public services.

Every day the Senate delays is another day veterans across the country are in danger of losing their jobs, their access to health care, and their economic livelihoods. This is not how we treat those who put their lives on the line for our country.