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To the editor:

I am outraged that Washington politicians may head home for the holidays without passing any new COVID relief. For millions of Americans, this holiday season is looking like a nightmare.

Millions of families are struggling to put food on the table this holiday season, and 12 million renters are under threat of eviction when the CDC eviction moratorium ends on Dec. 31. These renters are behind in rent an average of $5,400, causing economic hardship for them and their landlords. Some lawmakers have a bipartisan plan to provide food and rental assistance for the next few months, but Senate leaders are blocking it. They seem content to let countless Americans fall into financial ruin and homelessness in the middle of a global pandemic.

Congress must not leave Washington without taking action. They must pass a COVID bill now that includes food assistance, emergency rental assistance, and an extension of the CDC eviction moratorium.

Michael Bankston

Virginia Beach