Statement from SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris on the Senate Passage of the Cares Act

LOS ANGELES — Today SAG-AFTRA released the below statement from President Gabrielle Carteris in response to the Senate’s passage of the CARES Act:

“I applaud the Senate for their passage of the CARES Act which provides much needed economic relief to so many Americans including SAG-AFTRA members and their families. This legislation includes crucial provisions to increase maximum unemployment benefits by $600 per week through July 31, extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks, and provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for anyone who does not qualify for state unemployment -- which includes extending unemployment benefits to the self-employed and independent contractors. These are crucial components of any meaningful relief package and will make a real difference to our members when passed by the House.”

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.