[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1580-H1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I have always said that the role of 
the Federal Government is an umbrella on a rainy or stormy day. The 
Nation now faces the storm of coronavirus, and we should be the 
umbrella and be prepared and not panic. It is imperative that we 
provide widespread information on just the basics of how Americans can 
care for themselves.
  I have organized a bipartisan task force on the coronavirus that 
includes an emergency doctor with experience, Dr. Ruiz from California, 
and our colleague, Congressman Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania. We want 
to emphasize

[[Page H1581]]

an opportunity for Members to talk about the issues within their 
congressional districts and try to ensure that the American people are 
well taken care of.
  Unfortunately, the administration got a very slow start. In a hearing 
that we just had, one State had the ability to test only 472 people; 
another State had the ability to test only 350. Obviously, we need to 
be able to ramp up the number of test kits to help the American people, 
and we need the equipment to protect our medical professionals.
  Madam Speaker, I end by saying, as hospitals face a crisis and 
clinics face a crisis, the American people must look to the Federal 
Government to do their job correctly.

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