Shelby Urges Senate Passage of Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today delivered remarks on the Senate floor prior to a vote on the emergency supplemental funding package – which provides $8.3 billion in total resources to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Coronavirus. The House of Representatives voted yesterday to pass the package by a vote of 415-2.
Chairman Shelby stated, “We face a serious global crisis with the spread of the Coronavirus. The American people expect us to set aside politics and set into motion a swift and sweeping response. … In situations like these, no expense should be spared to protect the American people – and in crafting this package, none was. It is an aggressive plan that received an overwhelmingly positive reaction in the House and the markets. Today it is the Senate’s responsibility to keep the momentum going. I urge my colleagues to vote yes and demonstrate to the American people that we are unified and have their back in this crisis.”
Chairman Shelby’s full remarks, as prepared, are as follows:
“Mr. President, we face a serious global crisis with the spread of the coronavirus.
“The American people expect us to set aside politics and set into motion a swift and sweeping response.
“Yesterday was a big step in that direction.
“Vice Chairman Leahy and I – in conjunction with the Leaders on both sides and our House counterparts – introduced a comprehensive plan that provides our experts and agencies on the front lines the resources they tell us they need to combat this crisis.
“The package we introduced includes $7.8 billion in discretionary appropriations for the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the State Department, USAID, and the Small Business Administration.
“The package also authorizes an additional $500 million in mandatory spending for telehealth through Medicare.
“Combined, this emergency supplemental provides $8.3 billion in resources to attack the crisis at the local, state, federal, and international levels.
“In situations like these, no expense should be spared to protect the American people – and in crafting this package, none was.
“It is an aggressive plan that received an overwhelmingly positive reaction in the House and the markets.
“Today it is the Senate’s responsibility to keep the momentum going.
“I urge my colleagues to vote yes and demonstrate to the American people that we are unified and have their back in this crisis.”
###
Next Article Previous Article