Virginia Democrats Call Out Trump’s Failed Pandemic Response, Highlight Impacts of Cratering Economy

ICYMI: Virginia Democrats call out Trump’s failed pandemic response, highlight impacts of cratering economy

RICHMOND, VA — DPVA hosted a press call to share insights about the impacts of Donald Trump’s failed pandemic response on the economy and unemployment in Virginia, and across the country. 

Some highlights: 

Senator Jennifer McClellan, representing Virginia’s 9th District: 

“I think we have seen a failure from the White House and the administration on all fronts. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and yet they have been struggling to get PPP loans while President Trump’s family members and large businesses can get them.”

“Now the President is demanding not only that our economy reopen but that our schools open. But our teachers, who are just as much frontline workers and critical essential workers as the grocery store clerks and folks cleaning our businesses and taking care of patients in hospitals…are not even a part of the plan. They’re not being given what they need to make sure our schools stay safe.”

Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, representing Virginia’s 2nd District: 

“Trump’s delayed and mismanaged Coronavirus response made the economic fallout in Virginia more egregious and worse than it would have been if we had responsible, principled leadership at the top…Pretty soon we will all know someone or know someone who knows someone who has died from this virus unless we take more immediate steps to fix it.“

Delegate Lashrecse Aird, representing Virginia’s 63rd District: 

“Trump and his administration have proven their complete lack of awareness in understanding the difficulty, particularly [of] Black and brown business owners and especially small business owners.”

“In a time when Virginians are in desperate need of clear, decisive, and bold leaders, we are instead saddled with incompetency, self service, and divisiveness from this White House.” 

Susan Swecker, DPVA Chairwoman: 

“Trump talked a big game on the campaign trail about how great his economy would be for working families. But in the middle of a pandemic he prioritized big corporations over small businesses, showing the same preference for Wall Street and the wealthy that he did with his tax cuts.” 

“During this pandemic, Trump has repeatedly assured the public that it will just go away, and that he’s done everything possible to alleviate the situation. His actions speak louder than words because he has completely failed to contain this virus, and oversaw over 130,000 deaths, the vast majority of which were avoidable.”

“We’ve seen who carries the burden of this crisis: essential workers whose lives are at risk keeping this country running, businesses owned by people of color who are not receiving their PPP loans at the same rates, and everyone being forced back to work too soon to appease an incompetent president who would rather every state re-open even if it puts people’s lives at risk.”