In Reply to Questions About What Is Needed in the Next Coronavirus Stimulus Package, Senator Hassan Said, “We Really Need to Do Everything That We Can to Make Sure That Our Public Health Response And Our Economic Assistance Response Meets the Magnitude of This Moment.”
In an interview with Chris Ryan of WKXL and Brian Shactman of NBC 10 Boston, US Senator Maggie Hassan discussed the steps which need to be taken as New Hampshire and the rest of the country continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic while trying to reopen the economy.
Senator Hassan is back in Washington, but she is disappointed that there is a lack of focus by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Trump and his administration on what needs to be in the next stimulus package. Maggie Hassan feels deeply that there will be severe health and economic consequences if the country does not put together a robust national testing strategy which includes a large contact tracing program. She also feels that the economic effects on individuals and businesses will also need to be addressed. Senator Hassan is concerned that each state reopens their economies safely.
When she was asked about the plan to reopen New Hampshire’s economy being put forward by Governor Chris Sununu, Senator Hassan refused to be critical of the Governor. Instead, Senator Hassan was critical of the Trump administration’s inability to provide more testing capability. In her view, more testing is essential so that people will feel safe enough to return to work or to partake in economic activity. More testing and contact tracing would also enable all governors to make more informed decisions.
Brian Shactman asked Senator Hassan why the United States is #1 in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Senator feels that there has not been enough federal coordination and that there is a lack of transparency. As part of a committee which overseas FEMA-Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Senator has been frustrated in finding out how FEMA has procured PPE-Personal Protection Equipment, where the equipment goes, how much is needed, and is there a gap in these supplies. FEMA has not been forthcoming in answering these critical questions.
The problems, which have cropped up since the CARES Act-Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was passed, were also discussed. Many workers are not returning to work because they are getting $600 in addition to their unemployment benefits. The Senator felt that the legislation was written the way that it was so people could afford to stay home if they or a family member was ill or with schools shut down there were additional child-care issues. The problems of small businesses having difficulties in getting the loans or grants was also discussed. Senator Hassan hopes that these glitches in the first stimulus bill will be addressed in the next stimulus package.
In the last segment of the interview, the Senator was asked to reflect on whether the CARES Act was successful. Senator Hassan stated, “It was unprecedented in its size, speed, and scope.” The Senator admitted that there were difficulties and successes. She then vowed that she would work toward making sure that the public health and economic assistance meets the magnitude of the moment.
