Michigan Democratic Congressional Delegation Urges State Legislative Leaders to Act on COVID-19 Funding Passed by Congress to Help Michigan Families
Lawmakers Stress the Need to Support Frontline Workers, Teachers, Students and Health Care Workers
Tuesday, February 16, 2021WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Michigan Democratic Congressional Delegation today called on State Legislative Leader Shirkey and Speaker Wentworth to act on the funding passed by Congress to help Michigan families and businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
The letter, led by Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters and Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), highlights the work of Michigan’s Members of Congress to pass funding for vaccine distribution, testing and tracing, food assistance, rental assistance and education in Michigan.
“All of us want things to return to normal. We share the same goals of wanting our kids back in school, our small businesses back on their feet, and our families safe from threats to public health. These goals can only be achieved when we all work together. Now is the time to put politics aside and do what’s right for the people of Michigan by releasing this hard-fought funding. After all, we are all Michiganders first,” the lawmakers wrote.
The letter can be found here and the text below.
Dear Leader Shirkey and Speaker Wentworth,
Last month, the Michigan Congressional Delegation and leaders from across the country worked together in a bipartisan way on a federal COVID relief package to support our families, our brave frontline workers, our dedicated educators, and our students. We worked together because the need to end the pandemic, support Michigan families, and get our kids back in school safely transcends politics. That is why we urge you to quickly work with Governor Whitmer to appropriate these dollars.
It has come to our attention that the Legislature is attempting to withhold this critical funding that we worked so hard to secure for Michigan as political leverage to limit the Governor’s powers in this pandemic. This funding includes billions for Michigan for vaccine distribution, testing and tracing, food assistance, rental assistance, and funding to keep Michigan students and educators safe from COVID-19 so that we can reopen schools. The plan you recently introduced would leave money on the table that our small businesses and families can’t afford to wait for. It’s simple: appropriating these dollars quickly could save lives and jumpstart our economy.
All of us want things to return to normal. We share the same goals of wanting our kids back in school, our small businesses back on their feet, and our families safe from threats to public health. These goals can only be achieved when we all work together. Now is the time to put politics aside and do what’s right for the people of Michigan by releasing this hard-fought funding. After all, we are all Michiganders first.
Sincerely,
/s/ Senator Debbie Stabenow
/s/ Senator Gary C. Peters
/s/ Member of Congress Daniel T. Kildee
/s/ Member of Congress Debbie Dingell
/s/ Member of Congress Brenda Lawrence
/s/ Member of Congress Rashida Tlaib
/s/ Member of Congress Elissa Slotkin
/s/ Member of Congress Haley M. Stevens
/s/ Member of Congress Andy Levin
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