Thank you so much everyone good afternoon I thought that as I start my week here in Washington, DC, it was really important to start with a conversation to push my colleagues in the Senate to pass the Heroes Act, which we passed two months ago, we need to extend federal support for those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own during this crisis, crisis, months into this pandemic, we're still seeing unemployment levels that are comparable to the Great Depression and Republicans think now as we're. Alarming resurgence of Colt, 19, is a good time to tear away the federal assistance that has been a lifeline for workers only over 22 percent of the workforce in Miami Day in 26 percent of Monroe County are relying on these unemployment benefits and unless our Senators and Mitch McConnell acts in the next few days over one point One million Floridians will lose two thirds of their weekly income at the beginning of August, ending this unemployment benefits it. Only shortsighted it will make this crisis even worse for communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by Cot, 19 and depend on unemployment to stay afloat until it is safe to return to work A recent report found that although the vast majority of unemployed workers of all races, genders and income levels are relying on unemployment benefits women and racial minorities make up a disproportionate share of recipients and are likely to feel the impact shoot this federal. Aid expire at the end of July we have seen firsthand in our nursing homes and in our agricultural communities. what happens when those living paycheck to paycheck can't make ends meet They're forced to go to work even when they're feeling sick and then spread the virus. Unfortunately, Florida's maliciously designed an employment system caused extreme delays for millions of Floridians and receiving this much needed assistance and now those same families are facing the terrifying possibility of losing that lifeline again my office. Daily from constituents we're still waiting for their unemployment payments and from vulnerable families who are terrified of losing this assistance that has helped them to put food on the table and stay safe. health experts are saying that because of how dire the situation is in Florida, it may necessitate further devastating shutdowns. We must be prepared to support workers who are harmed by this. we cannot reap the support away from them before it has even had a chance to recover, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott must join our calls for Mitch Mcconnell Tosa Heroes Act and extend unemployment now today. It's too late for our constituents. our Washington DC. Niveles de desempleo similares a la gran depresión y ahora mientras los casos de cover están incrementando a niveles sumamente preocupantes los republicanos piensan que es bueno, es un buen momento para terminar la asistencia federal que ha funcionado como salvavidas para tantos trabajadores, más del veintidós por ciento de la fuerza laboral en Miami y el veintiséis por ciento del condado de Monroe dependen de esos beneficios de desempleo a menos que nuestros senadores y actúen en los próximos días más de uno punto uno millones de perderán dos tercios de sus ingresos semanales a principios de agosto poner fin a estos beneficios de desempleo empeoraría aún más esta crisis para las comunidades latinas y afroamericanos que han sido impactadas desproporcionadamente por el diecinueve nuestra comunidad depende del desempleo para mantenerse a flote hasta que sea seguro regresar al trabajo hemos visto en nuestros hogares de ancianos y comunidades agrícolas lo que sucede cuando los que viven de sueldo de cheque a cada semana no incluso cuando tienen síntomas o se sienten enfermos. Todavía hay muchas personas que solicitaron desempleo en marzo, que aún no han visto un centavo, mi oficina escucha diariamente de constituyentes que todavía están esperando sus pagos de desempleo de la ley. Por eso, es sumamente importante que pidamos al senador Rubio y al senador que le digan a Mech Macanun que tienen que pasar la héroes hoy no mañana hoy para poder proteger a las personas que están sufriendo por esa panemia nuestra comunidad gracias. Buenas tardes en The current cases in Florida really concern us are positive cases are now up to 360390 - four and continue to rise and there are still please listen to this number one million 226 720000 unemployment claims that have yet to be paid. I will repeat that number one million 226720. Waiting to get their unemployment payment and now we're gonna take away the 600 federal dollars our state only gives 270 - $5 a week for only 12 weeks it is almost criminal that our unemployment is so bad in Florida, but the fact that the federal government came in with $600 help so many people, Although many are still waiting because we have a very bad unemployment system Look the latest jobs report showed that some people have been going back to work but you know as you know in our community in Miami Dade County in the keys, we're actually going backwards because of the rise in the numbers so a lot of people are in trouble again and now we're not only for those that haven't gotten paid, but we're receiving phone calls for those that are actually in the situation, but now they're out of work again the restaurant or the bar they went back to is now closed. Businesses are shutting down for good we know this and it is really a problem. People need help. We need help in order for that help I would like to just tell you about. I know we have some constituents on the line that are gonna tell their story, but I'd like to tell you there's some perfect examples of of how horrible this has been there is one constituent that reached out to our office with weeks old of federal and unemployment payment. She was only receiving up to two the 270 - five miserable dollars, and as you guys know in Miami that barely gets you anywhere, she was desperate and didn't know where to turn because the D O had no answers Agency that is supposed to help and when she had no way of figuring out how she was gonna get paid she could once she got paid for the federal benefits to 600 extra dollars. She let us know she was able to get groceries she you know she really really what felt the relief that she had found with the $275 miserable dollars have'. I'd like to say that the state of Florida pays if. Oakland are not extended the economic hardship will devastate the state of Florida, especially South Florida. There's another constituent actually not my constituents, but we've been helping people all over the state. Somebody from Monroe County reached out to our office because they were told by their doctor that she needed to reduce her hours due to her preexisting medical condition, putting her at risk for covid- 19. These are the things that a lot of people don't think about that some. Lives are at risk and so they are having to actually stay home for reasons of health, not necessarily cuz their job is not there her employer demanding that she work more hours than recommended and without the $600 of the federal government, she will risk exposure herself who a deadly virus so I have to tell you I am so glad Congresswoman that you're bringing attention to the fact that the House has passed. And the Senate has yet to act. I can tell you as a senator in the state of Florida at the Legislature. We need this and we need this yesterday, Please help us put pressure on them to get this done as soon as possible for our constituents. Thank you Senator now we'll hear from mister Fernandez Thank you everyone and thank you Congressman for putting this all together you know it is it is incredibly frustrating for we live in a tale of two States where the largest wealthiest multinational corporations can depend on their state government communicating with consistency and predictability when it comes to returning more than five 550 million dollars in corporate tax refunds, but the poor floridians. Have been most directly impacted by this crisis have to wait till the eleventh hour for our government to act whether it's on extending a a job search requirement branding eviction relief or in the case of our federal representatives. doing what Congress did and acting quickly to make sure that Floridians have access to the supports they need to to survive this incredible crisis. and it's ironic and sad that we have a senator in Rick Scott of our former governor who in his. Life is telling his recounting his personal life and his story recounts the fact that he was the product of someone who came out of the public housing project You know in his time of need, he was able to count on his government to stand up and give him access to something as basic as housing and now in our state's moment of need. He's very constituents can't even count on him to do the same, he can't count on him to actually fix the mess he made in Tallahassee but at least voting to extend a very much needed benefit today I needed as much now. In March, when it was enacted by many hundreds of thousands of floridians of millions of Florida's across the state so to Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio, we ask you do what Congress did lead by example, correct the mistakes that you and your Republican colleagues made here in Florida when you created this damaged fractured and employment system that has helped far fewer people that deserve the assistance and I've been waiting for assistance. Take action today have give people the peace of mind and predictability that you gave the very corporations that you return money. Earlier this March it may in the Middle of this budget and crisis the congressman again. Thank you for the opportunity to join you again there's no time to waste. Let's hope the Senate gets the action immediately. Thank you and Commissioner Danielle Lea Thank you so very thank you Congresswoman once again for bringing us together to look at this critical needs and work together to solve these problems and I'm here to talk to you about the pain at the local level. so we are seeing hundreds of thousands of suffering in Miami-Dade County and you know relief must come from the federal government. We do not have the resources we do not have the open checkbook. We do not have the. To pass the euro only the Senate can do that now and so we call upon our senators to do the right thing to listen to the pain and suffering that your constituents are feeling and just to give you some of the the information you know those who've been able to go back to work. you know they're struggling to find child care schools may continue to for many to be closed and what will they do Will they be able to work even if there are jobs so many have lost. Their peace of mind and not only that, but they've lost their health insurance, so we're facing one of the biggest and pending health crisis just in the Middle of a pandemic so we have taken two steps backwards and have always been behind the eight ball. unfortunately and the cost is being born by our residents. I understand that these federal benefits may run out the 20 fifth because the the 30 first falls on a Friday this year. so an additional hardship I see a nod from Senator Taddeo so just remember that week. Huge difference in the lives of people just holding on by a string thousands and thousands lining up at food distribution events that we are all participating in breaking our hearts throughout the week and we have hundreds of thousands who have been able to stay in their homes without paying rent for the last four months they are going to be facing evictions and homelessness, and then we're all going to be suffering with a foreclosure crisis because the bills have to be paid. No matter what and that's where these dollars becomes so critical to prevent this downward spiral of our entire economy. so we need our senators to step up. We need our mayor. We need our governor to call upon our senators to do the right thing and not to leave us holding the bag with the community in despair. so we stand United. We need this action. Thank you Congresswoman. Thank you and next, we're gonna hear from some constituents I wanna flag for any press on the line if you have a question, Please raise your hand or ask your question in the chat and we'll get to your questions at the end. So now I'd like to go to Donna Wendel, who is from Key West to speak about her experience with the unemployment system in Florida. I've excuse me. I'm a realtor and primarily what I do is manage rental property and consequently when everything went in the Crapper. Try to help my tenants get to get to the unemployment and I'm sure you all know how complicated that is my English is it's my only language my first language and yet I can't figure out how to get from one page to the other on that website, and that's absurd and it's inexcusable I counted today I have 25 people. I know that began applying for unemployment in March to this day. I've got not one penny I have another six who got it but it. Coming in very erratically now of that first 20 - five of course, people wanna go back to work How stupid to think otherwise they wanna go back to work, but beyond that, what's worse is they were forced to go back to work, including his bartenders two of them have the virus you're forced by your lack of income to work at a job that puts your health at risk This is criminal. It's not a joke. It's a criminal situation, and I really appreciate what all of you are doing But it's it's still not enough. It has to be more. It's just really has to be more and I don't know if there's a way to force the governor of this state to wake up and smell the roses. I certainly hope so. Thank you Donna now we're here from Anna Perez, who is a constituent from Miami, going through similar situation good afternoon. everyone. Thank you for this opportunity to share my story with you and your viewers. I've been followed since March thirtieth a part-timer because I have little kids and I'm the only one that can take up to school pick them up when I was told that I was being fur and that I should apply for an employment I immediately did so it's been a very frustrating situation because I've had multiple issues with the unemployment website with the Connect for my effective date, not being able to collect benefits that under the circumstances, I'm entitled to and also the federal government assistance. There's no way you can call every time I've been able to reach someone at the DEO I can show you my phone. Are two hour or deal and when I do connect, there's been multiple representatives that I've said, Yes, I see the notes here you called my issue still hasn't been resolved the one issue that I'm I'm having a it's a big deal. It's the effective date I was told that the system automatically puts the effective date. So I've been trying to get it to the You know supervisor or someone to change. Day because that means I don't collect unemployment benefits for for two months in my situation I've asked them to please contact my employer if you can confirm and none of that has happened right now. My husband is the sole financial provider. my check would help whether it's unemployment check whether it's my earning helps to you know sustain our family. We have two little kids one is in speech therapy that now we have to pay for because school is out so this has been. The unemployment the collect excuse me the Connect website has just been frustrating. I've cried thankfully the people that I've spoken to there have been very nice and very helpful but. My issues is still the same. if you don't mind, I'm gonna say my story in Spanish. and this template the Marie in. the unemployment for Mesa. me. benefi. Recursos para ella no tengo para donde llamar eh sobre los beneficios eh que que dio el gobierno federal en cada vez que llamo al website del y hablo con un representante y le cuento lo que está pasando me dicen sí vamos a corregir el problema pero sigo igual eh no he recibido todos los eh cheques de que me corresponde por estar en esta situación de no tener mi empleo y es bien es bien importante es bien agotadora cada vez que llamas tienes que esperar mucho rato dos horas he esperado y estoy bien eh frustrada con el sistema y lo que está pasando Thank you, Anna, You're welcome so now if anybody on the line has any questions, please raise your hand now or go ahead and ask them in the chat and we have a question already from Univision Univision question for everybody is if in Florida, it was reported that there was an increase in people looking for a job with that prevent them from extending the federal benefit and if so, how do you counter that if the federal aid extension is approved, would it be retroactive in other words? could people who only see and we received one check then receive more. I'll I'll start with that. Thank you Univision. I'll say it in English and in Spanish, but the only thing preventing from this federal benefit from being extended is the Republicans in the Senate and the White House. we have already requested that we pass a lot of the heroes that would extend this benefit and it should not have an impact for those seeking unemployment. It's actually a resource so that people can put food on the table while they're searching for work and also for those that lost their job because a lot of their small businesses closed so in terms. Retract when we pass cares, it was intended to be retract. I'm gonna give it over to the senator Senator to answer that retroactive part of the question, but. benefi. Un empleo en este momento. Es más, es un recurso para ayudar a estas familias, tener dinero para pagar sus cuentas, para poner comida en sus mesas, por eso es tan importante apoyar a nuestras familias y para tantas personas que han perdido su empleo porque sus pequeños negocios cerraron. Así que la parte de de si es que es retroactivo, este beneficio se lo doy a la senadora Tadeo, pero cuando pasamos la primera ley de Care, nuestra intención es que sea retroactiva el pago de and Gracias. caress Ellis for a problem and the is the Astros and Fiona they had Anna. in. Puerto. Le paguen eh lo que se les debe yo sé que el senador Rubio y eh y el y el senador Skat han dicho los dos porque les parece que seiscientos dólares mucho dinero que que que las personas en desempleo son vagos mira las personas que están en este momento en desempleo son personas como las que acabamos de escuchar personas trabajadoras que les gustaría poder trabajar esta situación de una pandemia no es culpa de nadie ni de los empleadores ni de los empleados déjenme decirle vagos a las personas que están tratando de recibir un un derecho por el cual se ha pagado porque esto es un seguro es un seguro que cada empleador paga para que haya un fondo ahí entonces el hecho de que otros estados otros estaban a través de la nación si les han mandado los seiscientos dólares federales a la gente y en la Florida tenemos a tanta gente sin recibir ese cheque no es justo y y realmente deberíamos extenderlo como la congresista con su liderazgo ha logrado en la cámara baja que sí se extienda hasta finales de este año. Yo quiero decir algo que mucha gente lo califica por el programa del Estado por ejemplo los que trabajan para ellos mismos no pueden recibir por el Estado solamente por el gobierno federal de hacer equipo de este Thank you everyone. so I'm not seeing any more questions so Congresswoman if you just wanna close this out and oh, yeah, I'm right on time. Oh and I'm sorry that I do have something else you'd like to say let's let's do it. So if you don't mind since we have a moment several of the tenants that are in properties that they manage are people who came here from other countries working for contractors Consequently, they do not have social security numbers. They have no anything coming to them. Nothing. so now they're going to be evicted what we're gonna create a whole new class of homeless people. This is what's coming. Yeah and this I think these are people that just came here to work and then when that's taken away from them. What. thank you Donna. Thank you so much to everyone and let me just say that I think it's incredibly important for everyone to see the leadership that we do have in the state of Florida. we have incredible elected officials. At the federal state and local level that are doing everything that we can to help our constituents like Senator to said this pandemic is no one 's fault. It happened, but it is up to the governor to elected officials to find ways to support the people that we represent who are suffering the most blaming your constituents for. Of resources for your incompetence is completely unacceptable and it has to stop and it's time for Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Rick Scott to act to ask Senator McConnell to pass the Heroes Act, which we did over two months ago. That's why we are here right now in Washington, DC. we need to ensure that their safety measures for workers for those essential workers that are required to go to work, but we have now maybe over. Floridians that will be losing their job in the next week or so we have become the hot spot of the world We need a healthy community to be able to have a healthy economy and it is our responsibility to make sure that our constituents don't go without food without shelter that we do whatever we need to do so that we can contain the spread of this virus and eventually safely reopen businesses so there are tools that we have at our. Let's use them, we have done that at the House of Representatives. we have great leaders in the state and in the local level doing everything they can to help. It's your turn now Marco Rubio, Rick Scott do your job. Thank you.