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Folks – in the early hours of Saturday morning, the House passed bipartisan emergency legislation to combat the coronavirus crisis. It includes free coronavirus testing, paid sick leave for those who get sick or need to care for loved ones, enhanced unemployment benefits, and additional funds for food assistance and Medicaid.

In times of crisis, our elected officials are expected to act as leaders: To remain calm, prioritize transparency, and take a measured response. Unfortunately, President Trump has repeatedly proven himself incapable of leading our country in this time of need. He has downplayed the threat of the virus, undermined the CDC and health experts, failed to provide adequate numbers of testing kits, and blocked states from using Medicaid funds to pay for testing.

House Democrats have stepped up to provide relief to American families and businesses. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working to fight price gouging, hospital overcrowding, and more. As a member of House Leadership, I will do everything possible to protect the health, financial security, and safety of every Rhode Islander.

You can read my op-ed in the Providence Journal to learn more about what the House has done already, and what we’re working on moving forward.

In the meantime, I urge you to stay home if you can and practice social distancing to keep the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions safe. If you have a neighbor or loved one who’s at risk right now, call or text them to check in.

Visit the CDC’s website for the latest coronavirus news and what you need to know. For the latest Rhode Island updates, please see the Rhode Island Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

I’ll be in touch soon with updates. Stay informed and stay safe. We are all in this together.

-- David