States like RI ramping up public health programs while facing unprecedented budgetary strain

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are joining their Democratic colleagues in calling on President Trump to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive all cost-share requirements for states responding to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

On March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency related to the outbreak, authorizing federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts. Despite continued calls from Congress and governors, the President has not yet taken action to aid states facing severe budgetary limitations, plunging revenues, and growing costs associated with public health measures. The Senators' letter reiterates continued calls for the President to increase the federal cost share from 75 to 100 percent for emergency work associated with pandemic response.

"Many state governments are slashing budgets and implementing layoffs at a time when Americans need support more than ever. These reductions are unsustainable and dangerous, and only the federal government has the capability to alleviate these concerns," the Senators wrote. "Therefore, we urge you to increase FEMA's cost-share to the full 100 percent, to remove financial burdens from the states and enable them to maximize response effort."

Text of the letter is available here https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/200423_Letter_POTUS_FEMA_CostShare.pdf.

Read this original document at: https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/reed-and-whitehouse-call-on-trump-to-waive-cost-sharing-requirements-for-states-battling-coronavirus