July 2, 2020 10:40 a.m.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has led 15 colleagues in demanding that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell bring the House passed Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act to the Senate floor before recess.

A release from Merkley, said failing to do so would be “an abdication of our most basic responsibilities”.

A letter from the senators said that since the House vote on the HEROES Act, states and tribes across the country have had to pause and reverse reopening plans as positive coronavirus tests have reached all-time highs. It said as of June 25th, new cases were up 77 percent in Arizona, 70 percent in Texas and 66 percent in Florida. Seven states have reported new highs for current coronavirus hospitalizations, according to the letter.

The letter said that recent developments and data only underscore the importance of a number of provisions in the HEROES Act. Their letter concluded by saying, “inaction is not an option”.