Congressman Kim Statement on New Jersey State of Emergency on Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) released the following statement in response to New Jersey’s declaration of a state of emergency due to the Coronavirus outbreak:

“Today’s declaration further signifies the critical nature of the Coronavirus outbreak, and the importance of ensuring our frontline medical professionals have every tool available at their disposal,” said Congressman Kim. “I will continue to work with the Governor’s team, my colleagues in Congress and local officials to ensure Congress is providing the support necessary to put an end to this crisis. We also can’t lose sight of the ways this is and will impact our neighbors who have not contracted the Coronavirus; businesses will struggle to maintain customers, parents will need to figure out how to balance work and childcare with schools closed, and our most vulnerable are at risk of price gouging from a few bad actors trying to take advantage of this crisis. We must work to keep them in mind, and ensure we’re putting the safety and security of our community at the forefront of our actions.”

In the past weeks, Congressman Kim and his office have coordinated communications with leaders from major hospital systems and health departments across Ocean and Burlington Counties to hear their concerns about the Coronavirus and ensure they have the resources and support needed to keep us safe. Earlier this month, the Congressman voted to pass emergency funding to help respond to the outbreak crisis.

The emergency supplemental funding package provides $8.3 billion in funding to increase preparedness for communities to combat the Coronavirus outbreak. It includes:

• More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
• $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;
• Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
• $61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
• $1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home; and
• Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency.

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Small Business. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

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