On September 10, Senate Republicans failed to get enough votes to advance their pared-down version of the COVID-19 relief bill they introduced last month. This bill included a $300 unemployment benefit bonus; additional Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses experiencing substantial revenue drops; additional education funding (including for private school scholarships); additional funding for development and distribution of vaccines, drugs, and other medical supplies; liability protections; and an expanded charitable tax deduction. This $650 billion bill did not include any of The Arc’s top priorities, which are:

• Increased federal funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) under Medicaid
• Increased access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for direct support professionals
• Expanded eligibility for economic impact payments to adult dependents and another round of payments
• Paid leave eligibility for family caregivers of adults with disabilities, including siblings and grandparents

We urge you to continue contacting your Senators here.