Schumer, Senate Democrats to Urge Trump to Declare National Virus Emergency

Senate Democrats lead by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are preparing a letter formally calling for President Donald Trump to issue an emergency declaration to make more than $40 billion available to assist state and local governments’ coronavirus response, according to a Senate Democrat aide.

The request would allow Federal Emergency Management Agency funds currently available in the Disaster Relief Fund to assist governments in efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, said the aide, who requested anonymity to discuss matters not yet public.

Also signing onto the letter will be Washington Sen. Patty Murray, ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.