WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins have appointed to serve on a task force, by President Donald Trump, focused on charting a safe path to re-opening the American economy following the coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic.
The bipartisan committee will work to determine the best possible plan to re-open the American economy in a way that supports long-term public health and spurs much-needed economic activity.
In a statement, King says that he will push the committee to put health outcomes first, and make sure that the federal government is making data-driven decisions rather than relying on “an arbitrary date on the calendar."
King said, “The challenges we face today are unprecedented in recent memory, but they are not insurmountable. By putting politics aside, following the facts, and working together, America will come out the other side. We cannot lose hope – we will get through this, together."
In a statement, Collins said protecting the health and safety of Americans during the pandemic is her top priority. "Once is it determined safe to do so by medical experts, it is imperative that we have a plan in place to re-open our economy in order to reverse the staggering job losses and the harm being caused to small businesses and their employees.”
“Congress has shown it can take a bipartisan approach to the current crisis by passing three packages intended to support our health care system and our economy,” Collins continued. “We must continue to build on this progress by immediately adding more funding for the Paycheck Protection Program I co-authored that serves as a lifeline to small businesses and provides much needed paychecks to their employees. We must also ramp up testing to better track COVID-19, along with seeking treatments and vaccine development, and ultimately give Americans the confidence to leave their homes. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help address the unprecedented challenges facing our nation.”
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At NEWS CENTER Maine, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the illness. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: www.newscentermaine.com/coronavirus.
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