Joe Biden update: AFL-CIO endorses former VP for President

Former vice president Joe Biden is known for being able to connect with the working-class people. Following his endorsements from several labor unions comes another one, from the AFL-CIO.

The Hill reports that the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations has announced their endorsement of Biden. The AFL-CIO, a union that represents 12.5 million workers under 55 unions, has stated that it will bring together its members to ensure Donald Trump’s defeat in the November elections. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka released a statement of their endorsement.

“Working people have responded to COVID-19 with passion and dedication, even as our federal government falls down on the job...Just imagine what we can accomplish with an ally at the White House,” said Trumka in the statement.

Trumka also stated that their organization will be working hard especially in the battleground states to get people to vote for Biden in the November elections. He praised the former vice president, noting his track record for pushing for workers’ rights and civil rights. The AFL-CIO previously endorsed Hillary Clinton during the 2016 elections and will be encouraging its members to vote by mail this year. This is the latest endorsement to Biden following the endorsements from the United Steelworkers Union, the American Federation of Country, State, and Municipal Employees, the Amalgamated Transit Union, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Meanwhile, the former vice president recently voiced his support on rent forgiveness. On the Snapchat program Good Luck America, Biden stated that there should not only be rent forgiveness, but also mortgage forgiveness especially during this time where the coronavirus has hit the United States hard. Biden explained that this would be extremely important for low-income Americans.

As the pandemic caused the United States economy to crash, many people are forced into unemployment, and those who rent their homes have a high risk of getting evicted by their landlords. One study in particular, found that more than half of the Americans who rent their homes were laid off due to the pandemic.

According to People’s Action housing campaign director Tara Raghuveer, those who rent are the most vulnerable at this time in the economy.