We invite your participation via twitter and hashtag pmqs. Prior to question time members are finishing up other business. Now live to the floor of the british house of commons. We are aware there are companies who shouldnt be there. Well, as visit its essential businesses that must carry on trading. I think the Prime Minister is here. Order. Ive a short statement to make. It is exceptional. I will hold primaries is questions to 1 00. It will serve as separate statements on the situation of coronavirus. I will alert the leader of opposition two sets of questions of six which i expected to be taken in two sets. Similar, i will alert the leader of the second Largest Party four questions. I will also essentially call for the questions from opposition front bench. In order to maximize participation can ask the short questions and short answers. We now start Prime Ministers questions. Question number one come mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues
Coronavirus. I will alert the leader of opposition two sets of questions of six which i expected to be taken in two sets. Similar, i will alert the leader of the second Largest Party four questions. I will also essentially call for the questions from opposition front bench. In order to maximize participation can ask the short questions and short answers. We now start Prime Ministers questions. Question number one come mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this morning i had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, and in addition to my duties in this house, i shall have further such meetings later today. I would like to pay tribute to the Prime Minister and his ministers for navigating my constituents to these unprecedented times with your decisive action, also to my constituents and those working in the nhs for your truly heroic work. No one can afford to be complacent during this time, and i applaud the right honorable friend to the nation which reinforces the need for us to stay at home
Quorum call a senator madam president. The presiding officer the senator from new mexico. Mr. Udall thank you very much, madam president. Are we in a quorum call . The presiding officer we are in a worker. Quorum call. The presiding officer we are. Mr. Udall i wish to vitiate the quorum call. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Udall today we face a pandemic the likes of which we have not seen in over 100 years and today the Senate Must Act to pass the largest relief package for the American People in our history. First id like to extend my thoughts and prayers to everyone who is personally affected by this coronavirus pandemic. I thank the Health Care Workers who are working long hours and risking their own health to save lives. They are performing a national service. The numbers of infected individuals and the rapidly rising death toll with staggering. If we do not follow Public Health experts advice, the totals could be truly horrifying. In new mexico we have over 100 diagn
Unusual session but critical. Mr. Speaker, this legislation represents a bipartisan and resolve to meet the coronavirus challenge head on. It represents a focusnt on families and workers with the objective to make them safer and economically supported. That will protect workers as we all doo our part to flatten the curve. Public Health Officials have made it clear the only chance we have c to prevent our system to be overwhelmed with the pandemic it is threatened to be for his as Many Americans to stay home as possible. It is however necessary for us to be here, to pass legislatio legislation, to respond on behalf of the American People through this daunting challenge. The closure the large parts of the economy must be temporarily shutec down cause severe disruption for businesses and workers we saw the impact of this yesterday when new Unemployment Insurance claims increased by more than 3 Million People 3 million individuals. Those that rely on them for support of their families and
The disease. Major sporting events were postponed or canceled. Schools and colleges close their doors, concerts were scratched, even traditional st. Patricks day parade were called off. Thousands were told to work from home. President trump was seen daily on tv holding high level meetings and giving updates on the federal response. His critics blasted him for not doing enough. That on friday, he declared in a National Emergency bringing out more federal money for states and municipalities. Meanwhile wall street was reeling. The Financial Markets have gone into freefall on fears the impact of the disease could cripple economic growth. History was made on wednesday when the longest running bull market came to an end almost exactly 11 years to the day began with the dow falling more than 20 from its highend month ago. The next day, stocks drop the most in one day since the 1987 financial crash. However on friday, there is some hope that the federal Stimulus Program might help the crisis.