Hi John,
I hope you and your family, friends, and colleagues are staying safe.
New York has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus outbreak in the last few weeks. Elected officials have rightly canceled events and warned us to follow guidelines from public health experts about the danger of large gatherings.
But my opponent, Rep. Lee Zeldin, and his protector, Vice President Mike Pence, are still holding a large event on March 23 -- a fundraiser in DC for the Zeldin-Katko Victory Fund.
This administration's priorities are so upside down and backwards that they’re hurting people. Instead of overseeing the country’s coronavirus task force, Vice President Pence is courting high-dollar donors at a fundraiser for Rep. Zeldin, who served on Trump’s impeachment defense team. They are putting politics ahead of both science and the health and safety of the American people.
Now more than ever, we need leaders in Congress to focus their energy on protecting public health and providing relief for workers and businesses impacted by this crisis. As a scientist, I know how important it is -- especially in times of emergency -- to trust the facts, evidence, and experts. Public health experts are clear that right now everyone should avoid unnecessary gatherings like the Pence-Zeldin fundraiser.
By hosting this event, Vice President Pence and Rep. Zeldin are thumbing their noses at the experts’ advice, putting their own supporters at risk, and contributing to the spread of this deadly virus. Today, I’m calling on them to cancel this fundraiser and instead work on solutions to get people the help that they need.
Take care,
Nancy
