Cuomo Slams $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Bill, Calling It ‘Terrible’ For New York

Topline: In a press conference on Wednesday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo criticized the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill that is about to be passed by Congress, saying that the financial relief it provides to his state is drastically underwhelming and urging the federal government for more aid.

• When asked about how the giant fiscal stimulus bill—the biggest economic rescue package in modern American history—would help, Cuomo told reporters that “it would really be terrible for the state of New York.”
• He said that the massive piece of legislation, worth more than $2 trillion, only allocates $3.8 billion dollars to his state—far less than what New York, the new epicenter of the outbreak in the U.S., needs to combat the coronavirus.
• “$3.8 billion sounds like a lot of money, but we’re looking at a revenue shortfall of $9, $10, $15 billion,” Cuomo said. “This response to the virus has probably already cost us $1 billion, and will probably cost us several billion when we’re done.”
• “We need more help than this bill gives us,” the governor said, adding that he talked to New York’s congressional delegation in the House earlier today, telling them “this doesn’t do it.”
• New York City only gets $1.3 billion in this package, Cuomo noted: “That is a drop in the bucket as to need.”
• “I understand the Senate and Republican theory, but we need the House to make adjustments to this bill,” he urged; Cuomo also pointed out that in the bill proposed by House Democrats, New York state would’ve gotten $17 billion in federal aid by comparison.

Crucial quote: “I’m telling you these numbers don’t work and I told the House members we really need their help,” Cuomo said to reporters on Wednesday. “New York has the greatest need in terms of numbers. New York also has the most critical need in terms of timing.”

Key background: While reiterating the urgency about the scale of funding and resources that New York will need to address the public health crisis, Cuomo urged the Trump administration to institute a “rolling deployment” of medical supplies and ventilators around the country, rather than a static one. “We need help from the entire country right now… our apex is first and our numbers are highest,” Cuomo said. “Rather than providing equipment to the entire country at one time, let’s talk about addressing the critical need in that hotspot.” The governor has repeatedly told the White House to send New York more aid, since it is the far and away worst hotspot of coronavirus in the U.S. so far. “As soon as we get past our critical moment, we will redeploy that equipment and personnel to the next hotspot—I will personally manage that,” Cuomo pledged. “We’re asking the country to help us, and we will return the favor—we’re all in this together.”

Further reading: Cuomo Mocks FEMA Shipment: ‘You Want A Pat On The Back For Sending 400 Ventilators?’

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