Senator Patty Murray's office issued the following today:
Following passage of
an initial federal emergency funding package to assist state, local and
tribal governments on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic,
Senator Murray announces disbursement of initial federal awards to
Washington state for coronavirus response efforts
Nearly $11.5 million in federal investments includes support for state and local governments’ preparedness and response efforts
Senator Murray: Federal
awards…“only the first of many steps we’re going to need to combat this
pandemic and support families, small businesses, and communities who
are suffering”
Senator Murray: “I
am going to keep fighting with everything I have to make sure the
federal government stays at the table and does its part to help
Washington state through this crisis”
ICYMI: Murray Applauds Bipartisan Coronavirus Funding Package and Calls for Continued Action – MORE HERE
Federal grants also follow Senator Murray’s consistent work to strengthen response efforts in Washington state
BuzzFeed:
Washington Sen. Patty Murray has been pushing the Trump administration
to take action to fight the coronavirus since January – LINK HERE
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the ranking member of the Senate health committee, announced the distribution
of federal grants to Washington state to help ensure communities have
the resources to prepare for, prevent and respond to the coronavirus
pandemic.
“I am so grateful to our dedicated
local and state public health officials who have been on the front lines
of this pandemic, working tirelessly to save lives and keep as many
people as possible safe and healthy—and I’m glad to see these critical
federal resources finally arrive to support their vital work,” said Senator Murray.
“While these funds are urgently necessary, they are only the first of
many steps we’re going to need to combat this pandemic and support
families, small businesses, and communities who are suffering. Know I am
going to keep fighting with everything I have to make sure the federal
government stays at the table and does its part to help Washington state
through this crisis.”
BACKGROUND
On March 6, the Senate passed an initial $7.8 billion emergency funding package, as
well as a $500 million authorization to enhance telehealth services, in
response to the coronavirus pandemic. Senator Murray, a senior member
of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was instrumental
in helping pass the legislation, which included funding for vaccine and
therapeutic development, support for state and local governments’
preparedness and response efforts, and the purchase of critical medical
supplies to protect the health and safety of health care workers and
families. Senator Murray fought to expedite the disbursement of
immediate funding from the emergency supplemental package for Washington
state totaling at least $11.48 million in federal awards from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which were received by
state and local health departments on March 16. Additionally, Senator
Murray previously secured $2.75 million for Washington state from CDC
awards to support immediate assistance for response activities such as
the purchase of lab equipment and supplies, infection control, and surge
staffing, as well as to begin implementation of coronavirus
surveillance systems to enhance testing and surveillance in the state;
those funds were disbursed to the Washington state Department of Health
on March 6.
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