U.S. Congresswoman Cindy Axne

Another COVID-19 relief bill remains in limbo after the U.S. Senate adjourned on July 31st without advancing a bill as enhanced unemployment benefits expired that day.

U.S. Representative for Iowa’s Third District Cindy Axne (D) says that by adjourning last week without a deal, 100,000 Iowans that are out of work as a result of the pandemic are now getting a dramatic cut in the benefits that have helped keep food on their tables, compounded with the eviction moratorium that has been lifted, “Well it’s really disappointing that we have let too many people fall off a cliff during a pandemic and the worst economic downturn that we’ve seen in decades. Unfortunately the Senate didn’t come to the table with a bill in a timely fashion. We had our bill available back in May, it shouldn’t have taken this long for them to get something together.”

Axne adds that while there are provisions in the Senate Republicans’ bill that she is supportive of, she is concerned that there is not enough in that bill to support local governments and the critical services they provide, as well as public schools as they are navigating a return to the classroom this fall. She hopes that both the Senate and House will come to a conclusion on a relief package within the week. You can hear more from Representative Axne during today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program on air and at raccoonvalleyradio.com.