National League of Cities Calls on Congressional COVID-19 Relief Negotiators to “Get Back to the Table”

Washington, D.C. –  As multiple key coronavirus relief programs authorized by Congress are set to expire at the end of the year, National League of Cities (NLC) CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony today called on Congressional COVID-19 relief negotiators to get back to the table and deliver critical assistance to American communities before 2021:

“We are deeply concerned that, with only 43 days until key programs and the few remaining CARES Act funds for state and local governments expire, negotiations over a new COVID-19 relief package have completely stalled in Congress. This is more than a missed opportunity – it is a disservice to the American people.

“For months, communities everywhere have been anxiously awaiting clarity on a relief package to prevent further damage to the nation’s economy, only to watch Washington political infighting obstruct progress toward a comprehensive solution. Our local officials, first responders and emergency personnel who have been on the front lines protecting Americans everywhere since the beginning of the pandemic deserve better.

“We call on House and Senate leaders to get back to the table immediately to deliver the relief that American communities need now, before it is too late. With more than 13.4 million Americans still unemployed and eight million tenants facing evictions in January 2021, inaction will have cascading economic consequences that will severely hamper the ability of local economies to recover. Our communities cannot wait until 2021 for Congress to deliver aid to local governments.

“We expect our elected representatives in Washington to act swiftly to ensure our nation does not suffer the devastating economic impact of congressional inaction.”

NLC launched the Cities Are Essential campaign in May, calling on the federal government to ensure there is flexible, direct funding relief provided to America’s municipalities in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information on what cities, towns and villages are facing, read our latest report, The Human Costs of Local Fiscal Crises During COVID-19.