WASHINGTON, DC., September 16, 2020 — The Niskanen Center applauds and endorses the Problem Solvers Caucus proposal “March to Common Ground” that provides roughly $2 trillion in wide-ranging relief efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis.
Led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tom Reed (R-NY), the proposal provides funding for testing, enhanced unemployment assistance, economic impact payments, small business relief, schools, state and local aid, the Post Office, and more.
Kristie De Peña, Niskanen’s Vice President for Policy, said:
“Congress and the White House have failed the American people by proving utterly incapable of governing during a once-in-a-century pandemic and economic disaster. A dismal COVID-19 response matched with such paltry economic support highlights how dysfunctional and disappointing Washington has become. We applaud the Problem Solvers Caucus for recognizing that no new COVID-19 relief package is unacceptable for millions of Americans, and negotiations must continue.”
De Peña continued,
“We are thankful that many provisions the Niskanen Center has championed for throughout this year of crisis were included in the package, like $100 billion for testing and contract tracing; small business relief; economic impact payments that are inclusive of mixed-status families; and $400 million in funds for election security for states.”
The PSC deserves recognition for its ability to come to a bipartisan solution in a political climate dominated by partisanship and electioneering for the good of the American people. We look forward to continuing to work with any lawmakers interested in advancing pragmatic and productive solutions to help our country move forward in the face of grief and disaster.
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The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 that works to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.