WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass an emergency funding package that would support American patients, workers, businesses, and healthcare systems in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We need to keep our communities safe, and we need to act now. Over the past few days, we’ve seen an uptick in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Virginia and across the country. In our district, I’ve heard from concerned parents, patients, business owners, pharmacists, and educators about the growing uncertainty caused by this unprecedented public health emergency.

“At this moment, there is no time to delay in taking immediate actions to contain the spread of this disease. The bipartisan legislation passed in the House tonight would improve access to coronavirus testing, give workers the ability to stay at home if they’re sick, and provide children and seniors with continued food security during these difficult times. This package also includes substantial support for small businesses and their employees, who face the very real threat of extensive financial challenges in the weeks to come. We’ve reached a critical inflection point in the fight against coronavirus, and both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, as well as the Administration, must find a path forward on this legislation—for the health of our families and for the good of our country.

“As we experience increasing rates of coronavirus cases in Virginia, seniors and families must take precautions now to protect themselves. I stand with the people of Central Virginia as we work together to mitigate the impacts of the disease on those affected, strengthen the resiliency of our healthcare system, and look out for the most vulnerable among us. There will be trying moments in the days ahead, but that only makes it more imperative for us to unite around this common cause.”

 

BACKGROUND

Yesterday, Spanberger hosted a telephone town hall with local officials and healthcare experts to discuss preparations and suggested precautions related to the ongoing pandemic.

Spanberger was joined by Dr. Christopher Newman—Chief Medical Officer and Operating Officer, Mary Washington Healthcare; Dr. Denise Bonds—District Health Director, Thomas Jefferson Health District for the Virginia Department of Health; Dr. Peter Kasson—Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology and of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia; and Dr. William Petri—Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health and Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine, University of Virginia.

Click here to listen to the full telephone town hall.

Last week, Spanberger voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House to pass a coronavirus preparedness and response supplemental package. And earlier that week, Spanberger and a bipartisan group of her colleagues met with Vice President Pence and White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Deborah Birx at the White House to discuss the administration’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

###