Washington, D.C. – While Americans work to flatten the curve, the Senate Majority is working around the clock to help those affected most by the Coronavirus. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) released a new video, #TogetherApart, highlighting the outstanding leadership from Republican senators during the global pandemic. From donating blood to helping stranded constituents abroad return home, Senate Republicans have found myriad ways to be at the forefront.
As a result of his relationship with leaders in Taiwan, Senator Cory Gardner was able to secure 2 million N95 masks for the United States – including 100,000 for Colorado. President Trump also announced the federal government would be sending 100 ventilators to Colorado, thanks to Gardner’s advocacy.
A North Carolina couple that had been stranded on a cruise ship for over a month is back home after Senator Thom Tillis managed to secure a charter flight for their safe return. Tillis also announced $34 million for North Carolina health centers and held his 16th tele-townhall since the pandemic’s start to answer questions about the Coronavirus and available recovery resources.
Senator Martha McSally launched her 15 Days of Giving campaign to benefit the Salvation Army of Arizona by announcing she would be donating her April paycheck and suspending campaign fundraising to focus on raising money for charity. McSally also visited her local American Red Cross to make a blood donation and encouraged others who are healthy to do the same.
Senator John Cornyn has been working to ensure Texas small businesses know about the resources available to them during this pandemic, including the Paycheck Protection Program. Cornyn also announced hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for health care centers and local municipalities across Texas.
Senator Joni Ernst has been warning Iowa seniors about scammers during this pandemic. Telling one Iowa TV station: “I’m calling on the federal government to step up and take action against these scammers and make sure we’re protecting our seniors and our most vulnerable.”
Senator Steve Daines has been working hard to make sure Montanans get home safely during this pandemic. The Daily Interlake details how a Montana woman who was stranded in Peru was able to make it home thanks to the help of Senator Daines. She told the newspaper: “I was blown away by how quickly Senator Daines’ office jumped on this… They had her paperwork processed in three hours. They did their best, but the situation was obviously tricky and they could only do so much.”
Four Georgians are back home this week, thanks to Senator Kelly Loeffler. Once a stranded cruise ship docked off the coast of Florida, FOX 5 Atlanta reported, that Senator Loeffler flew her personal plane down to pick up four-stranded Georgia residents.
Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler announced another $9.2 million for Georgia to combat this pandemic. According to The Albany Herald, Perdue said “our local communities in Georgia are on the front lines of mitigating COVID-19, and strong support from the CDC is vital to their success.”
Senator Susan Collins is out with a new public service announcement discussing the impact this pandemic has had on small businesses in Maine, like Simones’ Hot Dog Stand in Lewiston. Collins’ ad highlights how the Paycheck Protection Program, which she authored, is helping small businesses all over Maine get through these tough times.
Senator Mike Rounds also held a tele-townhall this week to explain the Paycheck Protection Program and his hope to secure even more resources for South Dakotans struggling economically because of the Coronavirus.
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