Congressman Biggs' Statement on Coronavirus Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $8.3 billion supplemental appropriations bill to respond to coronavirus cases in the United States. Congressman Biggs voted against the package and issued the following statement:

"Last month, when coronavirus spread from China, President Donald Trump took decisive action to prevent a wave of cases in the United States. He also asked Congress for $2.5 billion that efficiently designated funding for the federal government's response, and he appointed Vice President Mike Pence to head a coronavirus taskforce. Even with the president's actions, Democrats have used every opportunity to attack him and his administration for their handling of this issue. With lives and health at risk, Democrats have chosen instead to politicize the matter.

"In true Washington, D.C. fashion, congressional appropriators turned the president's reasonable $2.5 billion request into a bloated $8.3 billion package. By passing this larded-up bill, Congress again fails to wisely appropriate taxpayer dollars. I would have supported the president's request for $2.5 billion, knowing that, if we spent all the funds, Congress could have provided additional funding.

"Throwing money at a potentially serious issue does not alleviate the American people's concerns. Nor does politicizing the issue to score points for future elections. Congressional Republicans and Democrats should join the White House to calmly, wisely, and pro-actively communicate a unified response to their constituents. We must rise to the occasion and do what is best for this situation – as well as for future generations. Unfortunately, this bill fell short of that objective."

Congressman Andy Biggs is a second-term Representative from Arizona's Fifth Congressional District, representing parts of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek. Congressman Biggs is a member of the House Judiciary and Science, Space, and Technology committees. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Gilbert.