Press Releases
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued a statement today after bipartisan Capitol Hill negotiators reached an agreement on an emergency funding bill to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19):
“After the Trump Administration initially requested just $1.25 billion in new money for federal agencies to combat the spread of the coronavirus, we’re pleased to see that congressional negotiators were able to agree on an emergency spending package totaling $7.8 billion to help prepare for and treat the spread of coronavirus – including funding for diagnostic testing, vaccine development, and additional resources for state and local responders who are on the front lines of a potential pandemic,” said the Senators. “Once this bill is signed into law, Virginia will immediately receive $13.3 million in federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cover some of the costs of preparing for this public health emergency.”
“Under the terms of this bipartisan bill, states and localities will also be able to apply for further federal funds to reimburse for the costs of detecting, tracking and controlling the spread of the virus. Furthermore, this bill sets aside $350 million that will be available to local authorities if our region gets hit by an outbreak – as well as $500 million for masks, medication, protective equipment and other much-needed medical supplies that will be distributed directly to hospitals and local providers. We will continue to work with state and local health officials to ensure that the Commonwealth is getting the federal support it needs to prepare for coronavirus, and we encourage all Virginians to heed the warnings of public health professionals to protect against its spread,” concluded the Senators.
The agreement also includes language based on Sen. Warner’s CONNECT for Health Act of 2019, which cuts restrictions on the use of telehealth for public health emergency response, as well as $500 million to facilitate its implementation.
In January, Sens. Warner and Kaine asked the Administration to redirect available public health funds to combat the virus and to inform Congress of any additional resources needed to respond to the coronavirus. Earlier this week, in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence – who has been tasked with coordinating the federal government’s coronavirus response – Sen. Warner expressed concern over how the U.S. government has mobilized to combat the outbreak of coronavirus, and urged the Vice President to devote the resources, expertise and manpower needed to prevent this virus from spreading while also improving the government’s communication with Congress and the American public. This week, Sen. Kaine joined letters calling on Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia to provide details on their Departments’ plans for preparedness and response efforts to protect the safety and health of students, teachers, school staff, and workers in light of the emerging threat of the novel coronavirus.
Earlier today, the Senators urged health insurers and federal and state officials to eliminate cost burdens that could disincentivize people with coronavirus symptoms from seeking testing and treatment for the contagious illness.
Draft text of the emergency funding bill is available here. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation before the end of this week.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today urged health insurers and federal and state officials to eliminate cost burdens that could disincentivize people with coronavirus symptoms from seeking testing and treatment for the contagious illness.
“We are fortunate that to date there have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Virginia. While public health officials have warned us to expect the virus to spread, we must work to contain the virus as much as possible. In order to limit the spread of this deadly disease, we must ensure that at-risk individuals seek medical care as soon as possible – and that potential cost burdens are not a deterrent to seeking diagnosis and treatment. In Virginia, about 10 percent of residents lack any form of medical insurance. Among the insured, many individuals still face high deductibles and additional out-of-pocket costs that could be a deterrent to seeking medical care in a timely fashion,” wrote the Senators in several letters today to Vice President Mike Pence, Gov. Ralph Northam, the Virginia Association of Health Plans and the State Corporation Commission, which regulate various health care plans in Virginia.
The Senators continued, “It is uncertain what the entirety of patient costs associated with COVID-19 may be, but we have already seen disturbing reports of patients left with enormous bills after appropriately and responsibly seeking medical care. In Miami, a patient with healthcare insurance returned from China and sought medical treatment for flu-like symptoms, but still received a $3,270 dollar medical bill after his hospitalization. An American who was evacuated from Wuhan received a $3,918 in medical bills after he and his 3-year-old daughter were required to spend several days in an isolation unit at a local children’s hospital. If patients fear the financial consequences of seeking appropriate screening, treatment and quarantine, it will severely handicap the government’s ability to control the spread of this virus.”
A copy of the letter to Vice President Mike Pence can be found here.
A copy of the letter to Governor Ralph Northam can be found here.
A copy of the letter to the Virginia Association of Health Plans can be found here.
A copy of the letter to the State Corporation Commission can be found here.
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WASHINGTON – Today, in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) expressed concern over how the U.S. government has mobilized to combat the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), including how the Administration is communicating with state, local and federal officials, and Americans impacted by the virus. In his letter, Sen. Warner urged the Vice President to devote the resources, expertise and manpower needed to prevent this virus from spreading while also improving the government’s communication with Congress and the American public.
“I am concerned that the Administration’s response to date has not been aggressive enough to effectively combat the virus and fails to underscore the threat posed by this virus,” wrote Sen. Warner. “I have been deeply frustrated with the U.S. government’s communication with Congress, my constituents and their family members impacted by the virus, and the American people more broadly. I understand that individuals at the State Department, including in embassies around the world, the CDC and other federal agencies, have been working around the clock. Yet despite this flurry of efforts, the U.S. government has not established an effective communication plan that tracks specific cases and communicates out guidance to individuals, their family members and Congressional offices working to get them help. Nor has it effectively pushed back on disinformation around the coronavirus or given adequate information to the American public.”
“Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, I have been in frequent communication with a number of Virginians, who were traveling in Asia and were unable to return home,” he continued. “The U.S. government’s task force was unable to provide these folks with basic information on a timely basis about what they could expect for the next 24 hours and how they could be medically cleared. Questions such as where they would sleep the following night, whether they should book a hotel or flight, and how they could be reunited with their spouses in country, went unanswered for far too long. In addition, my office, despite repeated outreach to numerous government entities, struggled to get the basic information these constituents needed. This process was opaque, time-consuming and ultimately unsatisfactory for my constituents. We must do better. We need to put better systems in place, especially as the virus continues to spread.”
To date, coronavirus has sickened more than 90,000 people around the world, killing more than 3,000 individuals. In the U.S., 88 cases of the virus have been confirmed and there have been two fatalities.
In his letter, Sen. Warner also emphasized the need for a government response that includes, at a minimum, a request for emergency funds from Congress, and an established communications strategy to ensure that government officials and the American public have the latest information they need to remain prepared and safe.
In January, Sen. Warner asked the Administration to redirect available public health funds to combat the virus and to inform Congress of any additional resources that are needed. The Administration has since requested $2.5 billion in emergency funds – an amount far below what most public health experts believe is needed to adequately prepare and respond to the virus. Congressional appropriators from both parties are currently working to negotiate and draft an emergency funding package to combat the coronavirus, which the Senate is expected to take up in the coming days.
A copy of the letter is available here and below.
Vice President Mike Pence
The White House
Office of the Vice President
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Vice President Pence:
I am writing to convey my concerns over how the U.S. government has mobilized to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including how the Administration is communicating with state, local and federal officials responding to the virus and Americans at large impacted by the virus. As you take over the leadership of the U.S. government’s response to the coronavirus, I ask that you devote the resources, expertise and manpower needed to prevent this virus from spreading and that you improve the U.S. government’s communication with Congress and the American public.
As you well know, the novel coronavirus has sickened more than 90,000 people around the world, and killed more than 3,000 people to date. While there have only been 88 confirmed cases in the U.S. and two fatalities, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that the virus is expected to spread within the U.S. I am concerned that the Administration’s response to date has not been aggressive enough to effectively combat the virus and fails to underscore the threat posed by this virus.
Earlier this month, I wrote to the Administration asking them to redirect available public health funds to combat this virus and to inform my colleagues and me of any additional resources that are needed. This week, the Trump Administration asked Congress for only $2.5 billion dollars in order to contain the coronavirus and to try to prevent it from spreading in the U.S. A number of independent public health experts have expressed concern that this amount will not be enough to effectively prepare, and both Republican and Democratic Members of the House and Senate have publically agreed this request is likely insufficient.
In addition, I have been deeply frustrated with the U.S. government’s communication with Congress, my constituents and their family members impacted by the virus, and the American people more broadly. I understand that individuals at the State Department, including in embassies around the world, the CDC and other federal agencies, have been working around the clock. Yet despite this flurry of efforts, the U.S. government has not established an effective communication plan that tracks specific cases and communicates out guidance to individuals, their family members and Congressional offices working to get them help. Nor has it effectively pushed back on disinformation around the coronavirus or given adequate information to the American public.
For example, since the outbreak of the coronavirus, I have been in frequent communication with a number of Virginians, who were traveling in Asia and were unable to return home. The U.S. government’s task force was unable to provide these folks with basic information on a timely basis about what they could expect for the next 24 hours and how they could be medically cleared. Questions such as where they would sleep the following night, whether they should book a hotel or flight, and how they could be reunited with their spouses in country, went unanswered for far too long. In addition, my office, despite repeated outreach to numerous government entities, struggled to get the basic information these constituents needed. This process was opaque, time-consuming and ultimately unsatisfactory for my constituents. We must do better. We need to put better systems in place, especially as the virus continues to spread.
I urge you to prioritize implementing an effective and reliable mobilization effort to support our nation’s response to the threat of coronavirus. This response – at minimum – should include an emergency appropriations request to Congress with sufficient funding levels based upon recommendations from public health experts on the front lines of this outbreak. In addition, I urge you to establish an organized and reliable communications strategy that ensures state, local and federal officials and the American public have the most up-to-date information they need to remain prepared and safe. Thank you in advance for you attention to this letter, and I look forward to working together on this critical issue moving forward.
Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
cc:
Secretary Alex Azar
Secretary Mike Pompeo
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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) addressed the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and what it means for individuals in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Specifically, Sen. Warner expressed concern with the Trump Administration’s response to the outbreak, and stressed the need for a more aggressive response in order to effectively combat the coronavirus. He also encouraged Virginians to heed instructions from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and directed Virginians to the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
A transcript of his remarks is available below:
“Hello, I’m Virginia Senator Mark Warner. Today, I’d like to talk to you about the coronavirus outbreak and what it means for the Commonwealth.
“As folks may know, coronavirus has sickened more than 82,000 people around the world. Almost three thousand people have died – now, mostly all in China. In the United States, there have been sixty confirmed cases – none of which are currently in the Commonwealth. However, the Center for Disease Control – CDC – has stated that the virus is expected spread within the U.S. on some level.
“My office has been in regular contact with officials on the ground in Virginia. Our priority is to make sure they have the resources they need and are fully prepared to respond to any potential cases of coronavirus in the Commonwealth. In addition, I’ve been closely tracking the actions of the Trump Administration and working with federal officials to make sure they’re taking this threat seriously.
“Earlier this month, I wrote to the Administration asking them to redirect available public health funds to combat this virus and to inform me and my fellow Senators of any additional resources they may need. This week the Trump Administration asked Congress for $2.5 billion dollars in order to contain the coronavirus and to try to prevent it from spreading in the U.S.
“I am reviewing this request, but frankly, based upon the initial feedback of public health experts, I am concerned that the Administration’s response to date may not be aggressive enough to effectively combat the virus. I’m also concerned that we will need a more robust response – particularly in funding – if we are going to be fully prepared.
“I plan to continue working with folks in the Commonwealth and at the federal level to ensure the health and safety of all our fellow Virginians. In the meantime, I urge all Virginians to heed CDC advice, including travel advisories and tips on how to keep your family safe. For more information, visit www.CDC.gov. We will get through this. Thanks so much.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in sponsoring a bipartisan Senate resolution (S.J. Res. 6) that would immediately remove the ratification deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Following this month’s elections in Virginia, the Commonwealth is poised to be the 38th and final state needed to ratify the ERA. If ratified, the ERA would finally guarantee full and equal protections to women in the Constitution.
“More than 96 years after the Equal Rights Amendment was first proposed, Virginia is about to take a giant step forward for women’s equality by becoming the 38th state to ratify the ERA,” Sen. Warner said. “This resolution will ensure that, even though this fight took decades, women’s equality will finally be fully and expressly recognized in our Constitution.”
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of passage of the 19th amendment, yet women are still not explicitly recognized as equal under our Constitution,” said Sen. Kaine. “This resolution would ensure there’s still time to ratify the ERA, which will finally guarantee equal protections to women and strengthen our ability to fight gender discrimination. I hope Virginia will make history by becoming the 38th state to ratify the ERA.”
“Thank you to Senators Warner and Kaine for their strong support of the Equal Rights Amendment, which would prohibit discrimination based on sex. Today I filed my first bill for the 2020 General Assembly Session, to make Virginia the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, guaranteeing women the same legal rights and protections as men under the law. Our Commonwealth stands poised to make history – and with champions like Senator Warner and Senator Kaine in Washington, we can finally make sure that the Equal Rights Amendment becomes a part of the U.S. Constitution,” said State Senator Jennifer McClellan, who filed a resolution in the Virginia Senate today to ratify the ERA.
“Having worked with so many activists across the Commonwealth on two ERA bus tours, I know how important this issue is to women across Virginia. And as one of the first women to graduate from Virginia Military Institute, this fight is personal. It's time to enshrine women’s fundamental rights in the United States Constitution, and I thank Senators Warner and Kaine for being steadfast advocates for equality,” said State Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, who filed a resolution in the Virginia House of Delegates today to ratify the ERA.
Thirty-seven states, of the 38 needed, have already ratified the amendment, which Congress approved in 1972. Only one more state is needed among Virginia, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah. The Virginia Senate passed a federal Equal Rights Amendment measure in January, but it was blocked by the then Republican-controlled Virginia House of Delegates. With both chambers now under Democratic control, Virginia is expected to soon become the 38th state to ratify the ERA.
The bipartisan U.S. Senate resolution (S.J. Res. 6) supported by Warner and Kaine would immediately remove the ratification deadline, paving the way for full and equal protections to women in the Constitution. Article V of the Constitution contains no time limits for ratification of amendments, and the states finally ratified the Twenty-Seventh Amendment in 1992 regarding Congressional pay raises more than 200 years after Congress proposed it in 1789 as part of the original Bill of Rights. The ERA time limit was contained in a joint resolution, not the actual text of the amendment, and Congress has already once voted to extend the ERA ratification deadline. The bipartisan resolution sponsored by Warner and Kaine would put to bed any potential ambiguity over adding the ERA to the Constitution once Virginia becomes the 38th state to ratify.
The Equal Rights Amendment would finally give women full and equal protection under the Constitution. It reads as follows:
- Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
- Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
- Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.
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