ACLU Comment on Senate COVID-19 Stimulus Aid Package

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate will vote on a COVID-19 stimulus aid package today intended to address the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ronnie Newman, national political director at the ACLU, had the following comment:

“The proposed Senate package doesn’t cut it. It falls short of addressing the critical civil liberties and civil rights challenges triggered and exacerbated by the pandemic. To more fully address the challenges presented by this pandemic, relief must include protecting tenants across the country from mass evictions and providing emergency rent relief; mandating and providing funding for no-excuse absentee mail-voting and early voting; expanding release to home confinement for people in prisons and jails most vulnerable to COVID-19; and providing access to COVID testing and treatment for everyone, regardless of immigration status, under emergency Medicaid. These are all the critical steps Congress needs to take to protect this country’s most vulnerable populations from the impacts of the pandemic.

“A final COVID-19 stimulus package must include relief that will slow the spread of the virus; prevent mass evictions, homelessness, and broader economic devastation; and allow people to exercise their right to vote without sacrificing their health. These actions will save lives. Members of Congress, now is the time to act.”