'Right now, I'm in panic mode': US freelancers plead with Congress to pass Covid relief

Millions of self-employed workers are set to lose their benefits after Christmas and lawmakers have yet to find a solution

Suzy Young, an artist in Winterport, Maine, cheered when Congress enacted an innovative program that provided unemployment benefits to artists, freelancers and the self-employed after Covid-19 hit the US. But like many others, Young - whose art sales have plunged in recent months - is angry that this pandemic aid program is due to expire the day after Christmas.

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We need to help people out here from starving. We need Congress to hear us, we're in the worst place