The committee on first i would like to welcome everyone and go through some administrative things. Weve taken the advice of the attending physician that center for Disease Control health and Human Services so we are seated 6 feet apart. There is no room for the public. And the press is operating by poll although this can be watched by streaming or later in an era of fashion. The witnesses were here in person and we welcome them. Some senators are in person in the summer participating by videoconference. I would like to say this about masks. Weve consulted with the attending physician. Since we are 6 feet apart we dont need to wear a mask when we are here although you are free to if you want to. I wear my mask when i am outside of this room according to the recommendation of all four of the witnesses who are here today. Im grateful to the rules committee, sergeant at arms press gallery, the Capitol Police and for all the hard work to keep us online and safe. Senator murray and i will ea
Of the White House Coronavirus task force gave an update on the response to the pandemic, including the development of vaccines. From the Senate Health committee , this is three hours. I would like to welcome everyone and go through some administrative things. Weve taken the advice of the attending physician that center for Disease Control health and Human Services so we are please come to order, first i would like to welcome everyone and go through some administrative things. Weve taken the advice of the attending physician that center for Disease Control health and Human Services so we are seated six feet apart. There is no room for the public. The press is operating by poll , although this can be watched by streaming or later in an era of fashion. The witnesses were here in person and we welcome them. Some senators are in person in the summer participating by video conference. When we are here although you are free to if you want to. I wear my mask when i am outside of this room acc
Like to welcome everyone and go through some administrative things. Weve taken the advice of the attending physician that center for Disease Control health and Human Services so we are seated 6 feet apart. There is no room for the public. And the press is operating by poll although this can be watched by streaming or later in an era of fashion. The witnesses were here in person and we welcome them. Some senators are in person in the summer participating by videoconference. I would like to say this about masks. Weve consulted with the attending physician. Since we are 6 feet apart we dont need to wear a mask when we are here although you are free to if you want to. I wear my mask when i am outside of this room according to the recommendation of all four of the witnesses who are here today. Im grateful to the rules committee, sergeant at arms press gallery, the Capitol Police and for all the hard work to keep us online and safe. Senator murray and i will each have an Opening Statement an
Rep. Payne good morning. We are here to discuss the coronavirus also known as covid19. A moment to send my condolences to the American People who have lost loved ones during the crisis. We all know someone who has lost a loved one or someone close to us as well. Our condolences go out to the people. Specifically we are here to discuss the administration and femas response to the pandemic. As new states such jersey have been hit particularly hard. Im grateful to the fema employees i know are working hard to help us get through this. I think there is serious concerns about leadership coming from the white house during this pandemic as well as a need for greater level of transparency around new initiatives of fema. Joining me to discuss the administrations response, my colleague from the Home Security committee, val demings, representing florida and being a former First Responder herself, she is no stranger to disaster. Additionally we have a special guest online today, the former fema ad
Particularly hard. Im grateful to the fema employees i know are working hard to help us get through this. I think there is serious concerns about leadership coming from the white house during this pandemic as well as a need for greater level of transparency around new initiatives of fema. Joining me to discuss the administrations response, my colleague from the Home Security committee, val demings, representing florida and being a former First Responder herself, she is no tranger to disaster. Additionally we have a special guest online today, the former fema administrator under the Obama Administration, craig fugate. Before leaving fema, he headed the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Before that he worked in the Emergency Management and the local level in florida. With experience at the federal, state and local levels, there is not a better guess to discuss guest to discuss what is going on. The nside is important for the general public as well as us onducting oversight of the