Republican Governors Urge Congress To Provide Maximum Flexibility In Funding To Combat COVID-19

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the United States Congress considers legislation to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 21 Republican governors issued a letter to Congressional leadership advocating for federal appropriations packages to include direct assistance to states in the form of block grants.

Addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), the letter reads in part:

“We are working to lessen the impact of COVID-19 in our states, but we need direct assistance from Congress. Injecting states with resources would give governors the ability to respond to the unique needs of each state with the speed and flexibility that is required to respond to this monumental challenge.

“COVID-19 has put an unprecedented burden on state governments. States are spending heavily on the response to the virus at a time when many are at the end of their budget year and revenues are down because of the limited economic activity. A block grant to each state would provide the certainty we need to continue providing critical services at a high level when they are needed more than ever.

“Governors have been on the front lines of this fight since the beginning, and states have taken the brunt of the impact. We urge you to give us the necessary resources to combat this complex issue.”

Signatories to the letter include Governors Brian Kemp (GA), Kay Ivey (AL), Mike Dunleavy (AK), Doug Ducey (AZ), Asa Hutchinson (AR), Brad Little (ID), Eric Holcomb (IN), Kim Reynolds (IA), Charlie Baker (MA), Mike Parson (MO), Pete Ricketts (NE), Chris Sununu (NH), Doug Burgum (ND), Mike DeWine (OH), Kevin Stitt (OK), Henry McMaster (SC), Kristi Noem (SD), Bill Lee (TN), Greg Abbott (TX), Gary Herbert (UT), Mark Gordon (WY).

View the signed letter here.