Post Author
Adam Sotak
Public Engagement Director
Negotiations have stalled on the federal pandemic relief package. But kids and families can’t wait for a political deal. 1 in 3 NC children live in families who reported falling behind on rent or mortgage and/or not having enough to eat in July, according to the most recent survey from the Census Bureau.
Our US Senators need to hear from us now! Join us Wednesday, August 12th for the “Kids Can’t Wait” Day of Action.
Here’s how to take action:
Please call Senators Tillis and Burr today. After your call, click the “I MADE THE CALL” button so that we know folks are calling in. We’ll also send you a quick link to share with friends to make sure North Carolina voices are being heard.
Call your US Senators’ offices
When You Call
- You will either be leaving a voice mail, or speaking with a staff member. Be sure to stay courteous and thank them for their time and attention. They field many calls every day.
- Share your full name, and where in North Carolina you’re calling from.
- Let them know you are calling about the COVID relief bill.
- If you have a personal experience to share with COVID-19, job loss or loss of income or health insurance, please do. Your experience is powerful!
- Find talking points below for one COVID relief issue that is most important to you (Medicaid, Child Care, SNAP, or Unemployment benefits).
- When you’re done, click “I MADE THE CALL” so that we can share next steps.
Thank you for taking action for kids and families!
Talking Points
STRENGTHEN MEDICAID
My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am calling from [CITY, NC] about the COVID relief bill.
I am calling to urge [Senator Tillis / Senator Burr] to do all you can to ensure the maximum rate of federal funding to support states’ health systems.
The funds would help North Carolina fight COVID-19 and promote economic recovery. Bolstering Medicaid funding would particularly benefit rural communities, because more families in rural North Carolina rely on Medicaid for their health coverage.
Federal Medicaid funding acts as an economic stabilizer for our state. This is more important now than ever due to the pandemic.
I hope that you will move forward quickly with negotiations and get real relief to North Carolina families right away. Thank you!
SAVE CHILD CARE
My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am calling from [CITY, NC] about the COVID relief bill.
I am calling to urge [Senator Tillis / Senator Burr] to do all you can to ensure emergency funding to support and sustain Early Education and Child Care.
The emergency investment of $50 billion would help to stabilize the early education and the child care system, making it possible for North Carolinians to go back to work. As North Carolina reopens, it is our responsibility to ensure access to safe, affordable, and quality child care.
Without sufficient funding there is a very real chance that the early childhood education sector will collapse. This will not only have an immediate impact on our economy with parents unable to return to work, but a long-term impact as well, as child care and early learning build the workforce of tomorrow.
I hope that you will move forward quickly with negotiations and get real relief to North Carolina families right away. Thank you!
DON’T LET KIDS GO HUNGRY – SUPPORT SNAP
My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am calling from [CITY, NC] about the COVID relief bill.
I am calling to urge [Senator Tillis / Senator Burr] to boost SNAP benefits in the next relief package, as the House did in the HEROES Act.
According to the latest Census bureau survey, one out of three North Carolina children are living in households where the children were not getting enough to eat and/or families are behind on rent or mortgage payments.
SNAP is a cornerstone program that helps families put food on the table during hard times. It also boosts the local economy by getting shoppers into grocery stores and farmers markets.
I hope that you will move forward quickly with negotiations and get real relief to North Carolina families right away. Thank you!
RESTORE UNEMPLOYMENT
My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am calling from [CITY, NC] about the COVID relief bill.
I am calling to urge [Senator Tillis / Senator Burr] to restore the $600 federal unemployment benefits during the pandemic period.
According to the latest Census bureau survey, one out of three North Carolina children are living in households where the children were not getting enough to eat and/or families are behind on rent or mortgage payments.
Hundreds of thousands of people in North Carolina are out of work through no fault of their own, and struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment benefits help families put food on the table, prevent homelessness, and boost the local economy by letting families buy essentials.
I hope that you will move forward quickly with negotiations and get real relief to North Carolina families right away. Thank you!
ALL OF THE ABOVE (For organizational leaders)
My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am calling from [Organization Name] in [CITY, NC] about the COVID relief bill. The children of North Carolina need Senator Burr / Senator Tillis’ leadership now more than ever.
I am calling to urge [Senator Tillis / Senator Burr] to negotiate with others in Congress and the White House and pass a strong bill which includes four key things crucial to our kids:
- $50 billion for the child care system. Without a strong and safe child care system, economic recovery is impossible. Our child care system is in danger of collapse.
- More federal Medicaid money. Bump the federal Medicaid payment rate up by at least 12% through 2021. This will save North Carolina billions of dollars. Without this money, North Carolina could be forced to cut crucial health programs during the worst possible time.
- Unemployment benefits. It’s unbelievable that federal benefits have lapsed during a global pandemic. Unemployed workers need $600 a week through the end of 2020 to help get stay in their homes and put food on the table.
- Boost SNAP benefits. Children and families need food assistance. Boosting SNAP at least 15% will help keep kids from going hungry.