WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released a statement after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell held another failed vote today on the "skinny" Republican COVID-19 relief package:

“Our country is in crisis. Unemployment rates are still sky-high; small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open; families are facing eviction and foreclosure; schools are scrambling to find the resources to help our students learn. But instead of matching the moment, the Majority Leader held another vote today on the same disastrous, partisan proposal that was already rejected by the Senate six weeks ago – a bill that does not include paid sick leave, assistance for renters and homeowners, adequate public school and child care support, or funding for states and localities to continue critical services while so many of our fellow Virginians are out of work. According to press reports, Leader McConnell has actually told the White House not to reach a bipartisan agreement with Democrats on COVID-19 relief. That’s outrageous. Americans are suffering, and this is simply no time for partisan, political exercises. Yesterday, I joined a number of Senators from both parties in voting for an additional round of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds to help small businesses weather this storm. Though that provision failed to achieve the necessary votes to move forward, it’s clear that there is bipartisan support for additional measures to help our economy and our people weather this storm. I remain hopeful that there will soon be a breakthrough in the bipartisan talks between Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin. The American people are in crisis. It’s time for congressional leaders and the White House to come together on a comprehensive COVID-19 relief bill that meets the scale and scope of the full challenges facing our country.”

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