An Important Step Toward an Equitable Economic Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented unemployment crisis. Over 45 million people have filed joblessness claims. As the result of deeply-rooted systemic racism, the virus has ravaged communities and people of color who were already facing disproportionately high rates of poverty and unemployment prior to the crisis.
At Heartland, we know that subsidized employment and transitional jobs can be proven strategies to quickly connect people to work, earned income, and onramps to economic opportunity—including people who have historically, and currently, face barriers to employment.
That’s why we are asking that you urge Congress to support the Jobs for Economic Recovery Act of 2020. Introduced on June 30 by Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI-D), Ron Wyden (OR-D), Chris Van Hollen (MD-D), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO) and Cory A. Booker (D-NJ) the Act will address the immediate crisis by providing funding to create or expand subsidized employment and transitional jobs programs to get people back to work, including jobseekers who have been left out and left behind.. When the public health crisis is over and the job market improves, the Act will continue to address inequities in the labor market by providing ongoing funding for employment, training, and supportive services for jobseekers who face barriers to employment.
The Jobs for Economic Recovery Act is the type of legislation that is needed to help ensure that every person has equitable access to employment and economic opportunity today and in the future.
We urge you to voice your support. Dial the capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask to be connected to your member of Congress, and ask them to pledge their support for the Jobs for Economic Recovery Act.
