|
Earlier this week, a bipartisan, bicameral group of Senators and Representatives proposed a new $908 billion COVID-19 emergency aid package. This proposal includes an additional $15 billion of emergency funding for public transit and $1 billion for Amtrak. This bipartisan proposal has jump-started the dormant discussions on COVID-19 emergency relief. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Democratic Leader (D-NY) have stated that this proposal should serve as the starting point for negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has restarted COVID-19 negotiations, although he has not indicated that the bipartisan, bicameral framework is the basis for the negotiations. Please click here to view the bipartisan COVID Emergency Relief Framework. In a statement released yesterday, APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas described the proposal as “a starting point for negotiations” and urged “Congress and the Administration to provide at least $32 billion in emergency funding to ensure that public transit agencies can survive and help our communities and nation recover from the economic fallout of this pandemic.” Congress hopes to wrap up legislative action and adjourn as early as next week. |
CALL TO ACTIONWe strongly encourage you to contact your Senators and Representatives today and urge them to take immediate action on emergency COVID-19 funding for public transit and provide at least $32 billion for transit before Congress adjourns for the year. To contact your Members of Congress, please call 202.224.3121. Please click here to view APTA’s Talking Points. |
