Typically you would see the democratic weekly address from a studio. But, like americans across the country, i am faxing social distancing, and join you from my home in michigan. I am practicing social distancing. We are facing an unprecedented Public Health emergency, and an economic crisis of epic proportions. As cases of coronavirus skyrocket, i and my Senate Democratic colleagues work to protect the health and safety of people across the nation. Families here in michigan, and americans across the country, are struggling. They are worried about their health and safety, worried about whether they will be able to make ends meet, and if help is on the way. After working around the clock and pressing for significant a more funding and federal resources for our heroic Health Professionals on the front lines, negotiated and passed the coronavirus aid relief and economic secured act, also known as the cares act. This package is not perfect. But it will provide urgent relief to the American People. The engine of our economy, Small Businesses, and to our overstretched health care system. It will help americans who are forced to stand home and are not receiving a paycheck or who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. A record high 3. 3 million americans filed for Unemployment Benefits last week. But help is on the way and we have your back. After leading the charge to expand unemployment insurance, with my colleagues, senator wyden and leader schumer, we secured a historic expansion of these benefits. Through this bill, workers can receive 600 per week, in additional unemployment compensation. We have also included a 13 week extension of unappointed benefits for anyone covered by traditional unemployment insurance, and up to 39 weeks of assistance overall. Workers who are not eligible for unemployment assistance can get these benefits. If you cannot work or have been laid off, we have your back. Whether you are a Small Business owner, freelance worker, independent contractor, working in the gig economy, a seasonal worker, or have recently started or are about to start a new job, you can receive this assistance. We also secured federal funding thestates to eliminate typical weeklong waiting period between applying for and receiving unemployment assistance. No American Worker should have to wonder if they can pay their rent or put food on the table. No one should have to make these choices. As workers and families facing extraordinary personal health and financial challenges our main street Small Businesses. Some have to closer doors or lay off employees. They are the backbone of our economy and they need support now more than ever and that is why we expanded funding available for Small Business loans in the cares act. This package increases the funding for a popular and very successful seven a Small Business loan program. It expanded it by 350 billion. It provides 240 million for Small Business develop in centers and Womens Business Centers and increases funding for Minority Centers as well. This will help enable Small Businesses to pay the rent and keep the lights on. We work and night to make sure providesslations critical funding for our health care and Hospital Centers that originally proposed. This funding will make sure that overstretched hospitals can make up for lost revenue and keep their doors open and make payroll for the selfless dedicated nurses and doctors and Health Care Professionals fighting day and night to stop this pandemic. We must also make sure they have resources, supplies, masks and equipment to protect themselves and their patients from coronavirus. Our work is far from done. We must make sure that people who need help must get it. The sweeping legislation we have passed is one important step as we navigate this crisis. We do not know how long this pandemic will last. You can count on us to be there every step of the way. For over 200 years, the American People have shown resilience in the face of great challenges. From civil wars to International Conflicts and pandemics, we have faced these challenges united and with resolve. Together we will overcome the coronavirus pandemic. Coming up this morning, World Health Organization spokes park is an spokesperson Margaret Harris joins us to talk about the pandemic, and then founder generon discusses drug therapies for covid19. Another guestve to talk about the latest developments in response to the pandemic. Watch washington journal live at 7 00 this morning and join the discussion. Tonight at 9 00 p. M. Eastern on afterwards, Eileen Zimmerman looks at whitecollar drug addiction and her book smacked. Thismeone struggling with addiction is struggling with addictions in their life, maybe know,al illness, you someone i could see on the side of the road, living under a bridge. I was very wrong, although it hits hard in those communities, there are plenty of people at the top of the economic ladder also struggling. Watch tonight at 9 00 p. M. Eastern on cspan two. New york governor and members of his administration held a coronavirus News Conference in albany. The governor announced that the number of deaths increased from 519 27 28 and it noted the number of patients visiting the intensive care unit has decreased. This is one hour. Good morning