Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today as the Trump administration failed to work with congressional leaders on federal stimulus negotiations.
“We are facing an urgent economic and public health crisis that demands immediate congressional action and leadership from the Trump administration.
"Millions of Americans are unable to work, put food on the table and pay their bills. Nearly 450,000 Washingtonians saw their $600 pandemic unemployment benefit terminate two weeks ago. This is unacceptable.
"Amid historic levels of joblessness, Senate Republicans and the Trump administration have refused to act on sweeping legislation passed by the House of Representatives nearly three months ago. As a result, they have allowed vital unemployment benefits to lapse and eviction protections to expire, abandoned state and local governments, and neglected families’ dire need for food, shelter and child care. Yet today, the White House has walked away from the negotiation table.
"States like Washington are paying the price for the White House’s indifference and other well-documented shortcomings throughout this global pandemic and economic crisis.
"Any unilateral action by the president to run around Congress is certain to be as insufficient as it is legally dubious. Unlike the White House and Senate Republicans, struggling families in my state and throughout the country cannot ignore this crisis or fail to respond.
"Federal leaders must come together on a strong legislative package to meaningfully address the challenges we’re facing, as governors have requested for months. Our nation’s economic recovery and our ability to defeat the virus depend on it."