WASHINGTON (WHTC-AM/FM) – Gretchen Whitmer took her campaign for more help from Washington in combating the novel coronavirus pandemic to Washington on Tuesday – virtually.
Appearing in a Cisco Webex remote hearing before the US House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Michigan’s Governor again asked for federal help in increasing access to COVID 19 testing.
“We need the White House to create a specific, long-term plan outlining how the federal government will ensure we have adequate testing supplies so we can gather the data we need to make informed decisions about re-engaging our economies,” the first-term Democrat from East Lansing testified in her prepared opening remarks.
“We would all benefit from a guarantee of free testing nationwide coupled with a robust federal messaging campaign to encourage Americans to get tested.”
Whitmer also repeated her pitch for more financial help from Washington. “Right now, the language in the CARES Act does not provide states with the flexibility we need to address our revenue shortfall,” the Governor said.
“A broader solution is needed to provide states with additional support and this critical flexibility. I thank members of the House for their work and hope that Congress and the Administration can come together to get it done.”
The hearing was entitled, “On the Front Lines: How Governors are Battling the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Whitmer, along with fellow Democrat Jared Polis of Colorado and Republican Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, were the three state governors who testified before the panel.
In a press release afterward, the office of House Representative Tim Walberg said that the Tipton Republican, “questioned Governor Whitmer about her executive order making Michigan nursing homes accept COVID-19 patients from hospitals and why it took so long to change this harmful policy. He also asked why all the federal assistance directed to the state of Michigan has yet to be spent, which the Governor did not provide an answer.”
“Michigan seniors are extremely vulnerable during COVID-19 and the rising death toll among our older population is extremely troubling,” Walberg was quoted in the statement. “Sadly, Governor Whitmer’s misguided nursing home order exposed seniors to even greater risk during this public health crisis. The Governor’s inability to answer a number of key questions before our committee today—ranging from data on nursing home deaths to where federal resources are being spent—was disappointing and inadequate. The people of our state deserve transparency and accountability.”
