; Whereas fissuring of the workplace, has resulted in more subcontracted, temporary, and 1099 positions that lack benefits and workplace protections, leading to greater economic precarity for low-wage workers; Whereas according to the 2018 Federal Reserve report on the economic wellbeing of United States households, 4 in 10 Americans say they are not able to cover an unexpected expense of $400; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic may exacerbate poverty, especially for children, and has exposed the shortcomings of the United States economic system and social safety net; Whereas if adequate measures are not taken to help Americans during the COVID–19 pandemic, the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University projects that 21 million more individuals will be in poverty, the highest recorded rate of poverty since 1967; Whereas according to the same Columbia University report, child poverty could rise by 53 percent with Black and Latino children bearing a disproportionate risk of falling into or deeper into poverty; Whereas, as of May 21, 2020, 38.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March because businesses have shut down or reduced their payroll in response to the COVID–19 pandemic; Whereas economic distress faced during the COVID–19 pandemic will disproportionately impact women, working-class people, children, and Black and Brown communities; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic threatens to drastically increase poverty for children and families; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic is disrupting children’s daily lives and there are likely to be long-term and negative consequences for child development and future success; Whereas low-income children and families are often the targets of discrimination based on their socioeconomic status as well as other social indicators such as race or ethnicity, immigration status, ability, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity