Political Quotes

“the American people are apprehensive about the spread of the coronavirus in the United States and abroad, as we can always remember. Global financial markets are on edge. Both are resilient, but vigorous action, I believe, is needed to calm nerves, stabilize the situation, and get our arms around this crisis. I believe Congress must marshal the resources necessary for an aggressive, comprehensive, and swift response. I am pleased to report to my colleagues this afternoon that we, with the House and leadership on both sides, have reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on an emergency supplemental appropriations package to do just that. The agreement provides a surge in funding at every level, as I have advocated for--local, State, Federal, and international--to meet the growing challenge that we face. The total amount included in the package is $7.76 billion, a little under $8 billion. We arrived at that figure by going back to the agencies--the NIH, the Centers for Disease Control, and so forth. We asked: What do you need? What do you think you would need if this virus really spreads? We wanted to make sure that they had the tools and the resources and that we would not shortchange the American people in any way. So the $7.76 billion, we have been told by the people who know, should be sufficient. We hope it is. Nearly 85 percent of this funding will be spent right here in the United States--85 percent.…”