STATEMENT FROM BRIGID CALLAHAN HARRISON, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS (NJ-02) REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS VIRUS

[March 13, 2020 – Longport, New Jersey] The following is a statement from Brigid Callahan Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress (NJ-02):

“I was utterly shocked to see a tweet from Jeff Van Drew that stated, ‘I am sitting at my desk in Washington waiting. Waiting for Speaker Pelosi to put a useful piece of legislation on the floor” to address the Coronavirus.’

“This is no time to be waiting around.  Van Drew should be demanding that our federal government provide short-term low-interest emergency loans to the travel and tourism industry, as even the largest casinos and hotels face the challenge of decreased revenue and having to pay vendors.

“We need to speak in the loudest possible voice that Atlantic City and our surrounding areas are in an extraordinarily unique and dire situation.  With tens of thousands of workers and small businesses directly connected to Atlantic City’s casino industry, and specifically over 25,000 Atlantic County union members who are on the frontlines of the hospitality, food service, and transportation industries, we must acknowledge our specific needs and work together to customize a plan specifically for our community. 

“Already, our Atlantic County workers are seeing their hours reduced or are already facing layoffs in the face of decreased travel and canceled conferences and entertainment events. While experts expect many affected industries and corporations from around the country to rebound eventually, this could be a catastrophic event for us in Atlantic City. We must act decisively and quickly to specifically protect and support the workers who make our District’s economy. 

“Considering Van Drew’s lack of interest and involvement, I have started this process by speaking directly to members of our Congressional delegation and to our local and statewide leaders stressing the unique impact this virus will specifically have on our community. In addition, in working with our labor unions, my campaign has been in close contact with local and national labor organizations and members to listen and help coordinate plans that will support our workers. 

“In addition to ensuring support for Atlantic County’s travel and tourism industry, Van Drew could have also called his new best friend Donald Trump and shared with him what many of us realized weeks ago – the Coronavirus is a national crisis.  Unfortunately, he did not do that either.  And finally, instead of waiting at his desk, Van Drew could be pressing on the following additional points that our workers so desperately need at this moment:

•  Guaranteed Paid Sick Leave

•  Increase and Expanded Unemployment benefits

•  Extended Health Care Coverage

•  Increases Investment in Supplemental Nutrition Programs like WIC and Food Stamps

•  Adoption of Housing Assistance Packages 

“We must put the workers of our community first and need to make sure our district is not left behind, that people can continue paying their bills, supporting their families, taking care of their health with continued benefits, and paid sick time.  

“We begin by ensuring that Trenton and Washington, DC fully understand our area’s unique needs.  We are at a critical moment.  We must build coalitions and ensure our full community is speaking in one voice.  Ultimately, a large scale plan must be developed for our great District.  That is what my campaign is focused on and what people expect and deserve, and “sitting around” will solve nothing. ”