(WASHINGTON DC) U.S. Congressman Scott DesJarlais, MD, voted for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The 4th district representative earlier voted to provide emergency federal aid to nationwide health services.

It provides more health care funding and economic relief for Americans losing their jobs and small businesses, because of the viral outbreak from China.

Congressman DesJarlais said, "Our country, which only a few weeks ago was seeing a record economic expansion, will emerge from this temporary crisis stronger than ever. To ensure that, I voted for the CARES Act, unprecedented legislation for an unprecedented problem, the severe slowdown or closure of industries and businesses, as we all work to prevent the spread of coronavirus."

The South Pittsburg based legislator noted, "The President has already taken extraordinary action, and nearly identical legislation could have passed earlier, if Democrats had not insisted on larding today's bill with pork for the National Endowment for the Arts and other unrelated causes. However, essential elements of the CARES Act remain intact and necessary: funding for rural and veterans' health care, more medical supplies and vaccine development, as well as expanded unemployment insurance and small-business loans."

DeJarlais concluded, "The costs may be great, but the costs of doing nothing would be much greater. This crisis underscores that we must cut wasteful federal spending to preserve our ability to respond in times of true need. It also proves Donald Trump's America First agenda to reduce our country's reliance on Communist China is the right course."