This week, more than 400 national and local organizations from across the country sent a letter urging the U.S. Senate to pass the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and deliver much-needed aid and assistants to states and local areas.

From labor unions in Iowa to Arizona associations representing local governments to national policy centers, the organizations emphasized the economic costs of the pandemic in states, cities, counties, tribal jurisdictions and territories across America. The organizations highlighted how state and local budgets have been slashed, causing job losses in critical sectors like education and healthcare that will be central to addressing the public health crisis.

They also wrote about the widespread bipartisan support among local leaders and community members in Nevada, Ohio and Texas, citing a growing chorus of voices on the ground calling for robust economic assistance from the federal government.