[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                              {time}  0915
                COVID-19 REQUIRES COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE

  (Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. MUCARSEL-POWELL. Madam Speaker, Miami-Dade County has its first 
two confirmed cases of COVID-19, and we are all very concerned. Across 
the country, events are canceled and store shelves are empty. With 
anxieties high, we are receiving mixed messages when what we need right 
now is coherent direction.
  It is discouraging to see countries like South Korea respond much 
more effectively than we are. While they screen tens of thousands, we 
have sick patients and frustrated doctors who cannot access testing.
  This is not right. We must make tests available and accessible to 
everyone. We must strengthen our healthcare system so we have the beds, 
the masks, the respirators, and the supplies to respond to a surge in 
cases. We must provide relief to our working families and local 
businesses struggling to cope with this virus.
  Madam Speaker, I believe we have it within us to fulfill these needs, 
but we all must come together for a comprehensive response to meet this 
moment. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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