Today, Co-Chairs of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-21), Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14), Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Vice Chairs Representatives Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Deb Haaland (NM-1) released the attached letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging immediate Senate action on the HEROES Act, legislation that impacts women and their families, especially women of color.

The Members note that, “As the leadership of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we urge the Senate to take immediate action on H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act). The coronavirus pandemic has caused devastating health and economic impacts for women and their families, especially women of color. Women make up the vast majority of employees in some of the hardest hit industries and have therefore lost jobs in those sectors at disproportional rates.”

The letter also states, “The U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act on May 15, 2020. Since then, citizens across our nation have demanded increased protections and equality for African Americans and communities of color. With nearly 119,000 COVID-19-related deaths and unemployment numbers not seen since the Great Depression, the American people overwhelmingly support the strong urgent relief included in the HEROES Act. Time is of the essence. The Senate must pass the HEROES Act without further delay.”

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The Democratic Women’s Caucus is comprised of all 90 Democratic women in the U.S. House of Representatives.