[Pages S1677-S1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORONAVIRUS
Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, yesterday President Trump visited the
Capitol to discuss the ongoing efforts to fight the new coronavirus and
its growing footprint here in the United States.
As Vice President Pence, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the other
administration experts related in their briefing yesterday, we should
expect a number of cases to continue to climb throughout our country.
Fortunately, our Nation was rated the best prepared in the world for
this kind of outbreak, and we are continuing to scale up our response
every day.
My home State of Kentucky currently has eight confirmed cases. I
applaud the efforts of State and local leaders who are working together
with Federal officials to proceed carefully and intelligently.
Our public health experts are compiling the best guidance for
individuals, families, businesses, schools, and healthcare
professionals in one place, and www.coronavirus.gov is the place to go.
I encourage every American to read through the information,
particularly anyone whose personal circumstances make additional
precautions a wise idea.
President Trump and Senators also discussed potential policies to
soften the economic impact of the virus. Over the last 3 years, we have
built a historically strong economy of American workers and middle-
class families. We should take sensible steps to help that momentum
continue, notwithstanding this new challenge.
I am glad the Secretary of the Treasury and the Speaker of the House
are engaging in direct bipartisan talks on this subject. Congress has
already provided billions in new funding to Federal, State, and local
health leaders. I hope we can bring the same bipartisan energy to any
steps that prove necessary to support our strong U.S. economy.
Now, it has been sad but not surprising to see some of President
Trump's Democratic critics here in Washington fall back on the same old
predictable partisan attacks, even at a time like this, but across the
country, where leaders are working together on the frontlines, we have
seen something different. I want to commend the Democratic Governor of
California, who stated on Monday that he had been in close touch with
the President and Vice President and appreciated their attention and
support.
Here is what he said:
He said everything I could have hoped for. . . . We had a
very long conversation, and
[[Page S1678]]
every single thing he said, they followed through on.
That is the Governor of California talking about the Republican
President of the United States. He praised the administration's work on
this and said: ``It starts at the top.''
So, clearly, this does not have to be a time for partisan bickering.
The American people know that. The leaders around the country know
that. I hope our Democratic colleagues here in Washington understand
the American people expect us to be working together on this problem.
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