OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Mucarsel-Powell Reacts To House-Passage Of Emergency Funding For Coronavirus

Statement

Date: March 4, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care Government Budget and Spending

Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) released the following statement after passing H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, providing necessary funding to address Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19):

"Passing this funding to comprehensively address the coronavirus is an important step in the right direction, but this is only the beginning of the process. The administration must be transparent with how the funding is allocated, and ensure that testing is widely available and accessible. I am pleased that this package includes $100 million for critical supplies for our public health response, including resources for our community health centers. The package also includes $300 million to ensure vaccines are affordable for all Americans. The bill sets aside $950 million for state and local health agencies, ensuring Florida will have the funding needed to tackle this public health crisis. This funding is critical for our state, and today, I sent a letter to Governor DeSantis urging him to prioritize public outreach and consider creating a statewide hotline dedicated to coronavirus-related questions so our health facilities aren't overwhelmed," said Mucarsel-Powell.

"Today, I also took part in a briefing by Vice President Pence, updating Congress on the latest actions this administration is taking in response to this disease. The Vice President appeared to be receptive to Congressional concerns, including prioritizing high-risk senior centers, supporting expanded state testing, and involving our universities in the response. He was very grateful to us for passing this robust funding package so quickly. It was good to hear the Vice President express commitment to our communities, and we will continue to work closely to ensure our districts are safe."

Full text of the supplemental package can be found here. A summary of the package is here. And the letter from Mucarsel-Powell to DeSantis is here.


Source
arrow_upward