July 29, 2020

Manchin: McConnell's COVID-19 Relief Proposal Does Not Do Enough For West Virginians

McConnell proposal does nothing for homeless children, internet service, and has no guarantees for rural hospitals or assistance for cities and counties

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the partisan, Republican COVID-19 emergency funding proposal announced by Senator Mitch McConnell on Monday. To see the West Virginia priorities left out of McConnell’s proposal, please click here.

“It has been more than four months since Congress came together to pass the bipartisan CARES Act. In that time we haven’t heard a peep from Mitch McConnell, but I have heard directly from thousands of West Virginians about their difficulties getting unemployment insurance after being laid off due to the virus, getting approved for small business loans, and having access to enough PPE and testing to feel safe at work or in their community.

“Instead, Mitch McConnell again released a strictly partisan proposal that does not meet the needs of West Virginians during this challenging time. It does nothing for the millions of children – at least 10,000 in West Virginia – dealing with homelessness made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal does not provide dedicated funding for rural hospitals as they fight this pandemic on the front lines. It does not make broadband hotspots available to local libraries for students and families without reliable internet at home. It doesn’t even provide additional relief for our counties and cities as they struggle to provide essential services throughout the pandemic.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am committed to finding bipartisan solutions that ensure West Virginians are not left behind in this emergency package, but I’m not going to sugar coat it – we’ve got a lot of work to do. I hope my Republican colleagues are open to negotiating a meaningful package that meets the needs of not only West Virginians, but of all Americans as we continue to battle this pandemic.”