May 1, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, released the following statement urging President Trump to release funding for FEMA to pay for burial costs for victims of COVID-19. In past disasters, FEMA has paid these costs:
“The current coronavirus pandemic has not only been the deadliest disaster the country has faced in over a century – it is also unleashing incredible economic hardship on millions of Americans. Just as with all previous disasters, we should not expect the families of those that died – or the hardest hit states – to pay for burials. President Trump needs to step up and approve this assistance so FEMA can pay for the funerals of our fellow Americans so they can be buried in dignity. It is the least he can do.”