{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/2000-month", "$2,000 a month", "2020-11-17", "2020", "2020-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Earl Blumenauer", "B000574", "blumenauer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "We all know these are rough times. Whether you have been laid off or had your hours cut,chances are you know someone who has directly beenaffectedby the pandemic and theresponseto it.\n\nEarlier this year,Congress stepped up and provided some relief that was needed including a $1,200 direct cash paymentfor most Americans,as well as expandedand increasedunemploymentcompensation(even though it took the OregonEmployment Department an inexcusable amount of time to get that money into the hands of people whoneed it).\n\nDemocrats in Congress have tried multiple times to continue and expand these programs but were shot down by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.\n\nAs COVID-19 cases continue to spike in Oregon and across the country, causing restaurants, gyms, and other local businesses to shut down, additional relief for families and small businesses is urgent.\n\nCongress must once again come together to provideassistancetothose who are being impacted by ournecessaryfight against the virus.\n\nIn my opinion, the best way to provide that help is with a monthly direct cash payment of $2,000 a month forat leastthe next 6 months. This willhelp peoplemake ends meetuntil we have a vaccine and can start returning toa normal life.\n\nWe know thatthe earlier $1,200 helped peoplepay forgroceries, utilities, housing, and other essentialsas theywent through rough times. Making these payments on a limitedongoing basis willnot only help the broader economy but more importantly,it willhelp our people get throughawinterseasonthat will be extremely hard for many businesses that may no longer be able to operate outdoors.\n\nI have been working withformer presidential candidateAndrew Yang andmembers ofCongress to not only design this policybut make sure we analyze and use the data to explore a system of ongoing direct cash payments, which somecall Universal Basic Income (UBI).\n\nNo doubt we are in a crisis and it appears it will get worse before it gets better. My hope is that mycolleaguesagree and we can getassistanceto those who need it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://blumenauer.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/2000-month"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2233869638293982, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}