Senate Democrats unveiled a proposal Tuesday that would boost the pay
of essential workers on the frontlines of the battle against the
coronavirus pandemic by potentially tens of thousands of dollars.
As
much as $25,000 in hazard pay would be afforded over a period of time
to those deemed essential, including employees in health care, drug
stores, grocery stores, sanitation workers, truck drivers,
transportation workers and all federal employees with frontline
positions, such as Postal Service workers.
"Not all heroes wear
capes," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters on a
conference call Tuesday. "For these Americans, working from home is not
an option. Social distancing is not an option."
The raise would
be equivalent to $13 per hour and would apply retroactively from the
start of the health crisis emergency on January 27 until the end of the
year, Schumer said.
Health care workers also could receive a
one-time premium of up to $15,000 as part of a program to recruit and
retain certain medical employees in fields experiencing shortages. The
benefits would be applied retroactively for those already working on the
frontlines and to the families of health care workers who've died as a
result of coronavirus.
"We are asking these workers to take on
great risk. They should be compensated for it," Schumer said. "These
Americans are the true heroes of this pandemic, and we need to make sure
they are taken care of. They are there for us, so we must be there for
them."
Essential workers not part of the health care recruitment program who
earn less than $200,000 per year would receive a maximum premium pay of
$25,000 while those who make more than $200,000 would get a maximum of
$5,000. The extra pay would apply through December 31 or until the
worker's salary-based maximum premium pay is reached.
The federal
funds would be distributed to employers, who would need to apply for the
money for its employees. The federal agency that would be responsible
for distributing the resources is yet to be determined, Schumer said. A
total price tag for the package is also unknown.
The proposition
comes as Democrats in Congress are aggressively pushing for a fourth
stimulus package in the coming weeks to combat the sharp economic
downturn and increase in unemployment numbers.
The Heroes Fund
would need significant buy-in from Republicans. Schumer sidestepped a
question on whether he's spoken to his GOP counterpart, Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). McConnell's office did not respond to Newsweek's inquiry.
"We
hope that our Republican colleagues will join us in noting that this
Heroes Fund and hazard pay proposal is so very needed," Schumer said. "I
think it should get strong, bipartisan support."
Meanwhile, Democrats on the other side of the Capitol building in the House have changed course from advocating for a digital infrastructure-focused bill to pushing for an extension of the historic $2 trillion package recently passed, which would mean more individual checks, relief for small businesses and expanded unemployment benefits.
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