My name is Qasim Rashid, and I’m running for Congress in Virginia’s First District.
Tonight, President Trump went on air to claim that the risk for Americans becoming infected with the coronavirus “very low” while putting Vice President Mike Pence (who enabled an HIV outbreak in Indiana) in charge of the government response task force. While this virus is spreading throughout the world, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is practically begging for more funding as concerns grow.
A vaccine for the coronavirus is about a year out--depending on funding.The CDC says it needs at least $136 million to combat the coronavirus and that time is of the essence.
Instead, my Republican opponent Rob Wittman, who today went on television and reminded everyone he has 27 years experience as a public health official, supports Trump’s 16% budget slash to CDC funding. With this cut comes the elimination of positions dedicated to focusing on pandemics such as coronavirus and crucial research funding.
Think about just how dangerous this situation has become. Rob Wittman is so beholden to Donald Trump, that he knowingly denies basic science and supports a massive and devastating cut to the CDC in the midst of one of the most dangerous international disease outbreaks in modern times.
Our representatives are elected to best serve our interests and to keep our families healthy and safe, not to abide by party lines and be Trump’s rubber stamp. Instead, we are underprepared for what could come our way thanks to the reckless behavior of the GOP. From House to Senate, we need to vote them out this year and have a legislature that believes in science, not Trump.
Join our fight to uphold actual science, and keep our nation and its citizens safe.