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Following his administration taking fire from both sides of the aisle over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump is preparing to issue a state of emergency in the US. Rumors swirl that Trump, at 3 pm Eastern Time, will issue an address to confirm that the pandemic constitutes a national state of emergency.
Hours before Trump plans to hold the national address to announce the state of emergency, two sources close to the president have confirmed to the Associated Press when the address will take place, and what it will contain. The two sources spoke under the condition of anonymity. This has been common among white house aides and sources close to the president during the Trump administration.
However, it is not clear what legal mechanism Trump will be using to acquire more federal funding for a state of emergency. Numerous Americans are uninsured or underinsured by the United State’s unusual private healthcare system. They can’t all afford testing and treatment.
The president has discussed finding a way to alleviate the economic burden on Americans through various methods. An idea is to suspend payroll taxes until the end of the year.
By issuing a state of emergency, Trump would immediately gain access to $40 billion. The money is federal funding that is set aside for emergency spending.
The Stafford Act was ratified in 1988, amending the Disaster Relief act signed into law in 1974. It established that an emergency declaration will free up numerous services and funds to the federal government.
An emergency declaration also allows for the authorization of FEMA support. FEMA can offer both financial and physical support to areas affected by emergencies. FEMA is often called in to help with natural disasters, but they can also help respond to pandemics.
The COVID-19 coronavirus rushed across the American landscape much more rapidly than some had anticipated. Trump’s White House is under enormous pressure to respond and offer strong leadership.
For many, the president’s response is lacking. People suffering from the virus have been eagerly anticipating federal aid in testing and treatment. The disease is far from easy to treat. It takes more than simple flu symptom relief to combat it.
Friday, Trump and the House of Representatives worked together to draft a COVID-19 relief bill. The bill outlines how to allocate funds to help bolster the US against the virus.
The outbreak has sent the US stock market reeling as investors panic over the possibility of industry grinding to a halt. The relief bill is meant to assuage fears by providing a roadmap for dealing with the pandemic.
