FORT WASHINGTON, Md.—Vice President Mike Pence spoke to a fully packed house during the second day of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 27, starting his remarks by addressing concerns surrounding the impact of the new coronavirus.
Just a day earlier, President Donald Trump appointed Pence to be in charge of a White House coronavirus task force. The vice president—whom health agencies will now report to—said at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center that the task force has been meeting daily.
While the risk to the American public “remains low,” the administration is “ready for anything,” Pence told conference-goers, adding that the current climate “is not the time for partisanship.”
Last month, Trump declared a public health emergency upon word of the outbreak and suspended travel to the United States from China.
“Yesterday, President Trump directed me to lead a whole-of-government approach to address the coronavirus in the country,” Pence said. “And I promise you, we will continue to bring the full resources of the federal government to bear to protect the American people.”
There have been 60 confirmed cases of the virus in the United States, with one American who has been hospitalized and the rest being treated and doing well. Quarantine efforts for American citizens returning from the country have been initiated.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said that the Senate hopes to take up funding to combat the coronavirus within the next two weeks. The White House has submitted an emergency request for $2.5 billion to bolster efforts to prevent community spread of the virus in the United States.
Pence said, “This president will always put the health and safety of America first.”
“The American people expect us to work together,” he said at the conference. “And I promise you, this president, this administration, is going to work with leaders in both parties. Well work with leaders across this nation, at the state and local levels.”
The White House on Feb. 27 also announced the appointment of Ambassador Debbie Birx to serve as the White House coronavirus response coordinator. Birx is a world-renowned global health official and physician who will be reporting to Pence and also join the task force led by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Following Birxs appointment, Pence and HHS Secretary Alex Azar announced the addition of more officials to the presidents coronavirus task force: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, and Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council.
America Versus Socialism
After addressing coronavirus concerns, Pence used the rest of his speech to touch upon the accomplishments and promises kept by the administration, much of it stemming from Trumps “America First” agenda.
Pence also dedicated a portion of his remarks to condemn the rising influence of socialism within the Democratic Party, in line with the theme at this years CPAC: “America vs. Socialism.”
“Democrats have been overtaken by a leftisRead More – Source
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The Epoch Times
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