WASHINGTON - Following Donald Trump’s signing of four executive orders, The Center for Popular Democracy released this statement from Co-Executive Director, Ana Maria Archila:

“Donald Trump’s issuance of these executive orders just adds insult to the injury our communities have already suffered. Instead of renewing unemployment insurance benefits at $600 to ensure unemployed workers are able to care for their families, he’s cut the benefit amount by $200 and is attempting to get over on our communities with a payroll tax cut in an underhanded effort to bankrupt Medicare and Social Security. These orders are a smokescreen meant to distract us from the failures that Trump, McConnell, and Senate Republicans must own. Their efforts have not been enough to afford people the ability to stay home, remain healthy, and retain the ability to sustain their families and educate their children. Because of this administration's inadequate handling of this crisis we are headed toward a catastrophe on September 1, as more workers who have been excluded from relief efforts, will be evicted. More small businesses will also be forced to shut their doors for good.

“These orders are impotent, inadequate, almost certainly illegal, and will leave millions of Black and brown families, frontline and excluded workers without the help they need. President Trump, we're not buying it - you must find the solutions that real people need for recovery instead of once again, shirking your responsibility to our communities during this pandemic."

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