[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 44 (Thursday, March 5, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2020

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. CHARLIE CRIST

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 2020

  Mr. CRIST. Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 6074, Coronavirus 
Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, and commend 
my fellow members of the Appropriations Committee, particularly the 
Gentlewoman from New York (Chairwoman Lowey) and the Gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ranking Member Granger) for their leadership.
  The robust, $8.3 billion package includes vital funding for research, 
local health departments, supplies, preparedness, affordable vaccines, 
and support for small businesses.
  I was particularly proud to support including $500 million to cover 
telehealth services for Medicare patients.
  This provision will reduce the number of non-urgent cases who have to 
go to emergency rooms and doctors' offices, a win for seniors, health 
care workers, and the general public.
  The resounding, bipartisan vote for the emergency funding shows that 
the People's House is taking this outbreak seriously.
  We are committed to fully exercising Congress' Constitutional Power 
of the Purse in support of the fight against this disease.

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