In times of crisis, Americans deserve a real leader

/uYzolxa7UYY-qwynYYZfRo_-_q7li5H4vQ1K80LkRcU= {NAME}, With over 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States and that number rapidly growing, Americans deserve elected leaders who will communicate openly, prepare adequately, and act swiftly to mitigate the effects of this pandemic. But President Trump has proven he is not willing to put the health and safety of millions of at-risk Americans above his ego -- and we are the ones who will pay the price. President Trump has: - Repeatedly downplayed the severity of the crisis, insisting the number of cases in the U.S. is and will stay “close to zero” - Encouraged those who are sick to continue engaging in risky activities that could fuel the spread of the virus, saying many positive patients “go to work, but they get better” - Blocked states from using Medicaid funds to support emergency COVID-19 response - Failed to prepare an adequate number of testing kits and refused to accept any responsibility for problems caused by this failure - Failed to pass emergency paid leave to slow community spread - Stood by his proposed 2021 budget, which slashes $1.2 billion from the CDC - AND, all this after he fired the entire pandemic response team in 2018! {NAME}, it is clear that President Trump is not the leader we need in times of crisis. In the absence of a real leader, I promise to do everything I can to step up, stand up, and mitigate this public health and safety crisis. I am proud to have supported and voted for an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to address this crisis, which includes funding for state and local agencies, medical equipment, vaccine research, and a clause to waive telehealth restrictions so Medicare beneficiaries can access healthcare from wherever they are. Shortly after midnight on Friday, Congress also passed another relief package which includes paid leave, expanded food assistance, extended unemployment insurance, and free coverage for COVID-19 testing. Right now, my thoughts are with those Americans who still do not have access to quality healthcare, and all those who cannot afford to stay home and give up weeks of pay. My prayers are with all members of vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. I will not stop fighting for you. Now is the time for clear and honest communication, bold leadership, swift action, and unity. Thanks for standing with me, Congressman Al Green --------------------------------------------------------------- Congressman Al Green has served the people of Texas' 9th district for 15 years. He is a progressive leader in Washington and was the first Member of Congress to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump on the House floor. This email was sent to {EMAIL} because we want to keep you fully informed about Al's work for justice, accountability, and progress. If you'd prefer not to hear from us, you can [unsubscribe](/wEgwJ-EvGqja_IPukwqUkBNLX6CDo0h6w6RV8NHxd3I=) here. [DONATE NOW](/aN7IsY75y1cUNst-_nWT50OgdlJ7FuZqk1h10uD-LwI=?refcode=E1779-20200314-Coronavirus2-footer&amount=25) Paid for and Authorized by Keep Al Green in Congress Keep Al Green in Congress P.O. Box 56761 Houston TX 77256-6761 United States