Rep. Maxine Waters said her sister is “dying in a hospital” from the coronavirus.
The California Democrat said on Thursday she would cast a “yes” vote for the $484 billion economic relief package and would dedicate the legislation, meant to provide the next round of funding for the U.S. government’s small business relief program, to her ailing sibling.
“I am going to take a moment to dedicate this legislation to my dear sister, who is dying in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, right now, infected by the coronavirus,” Waters said on the House floor.
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Rep. Maxine Waters: “I am going to take a moment to dedicate this legislation to my dear sister who is dying in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, right now infected by the Coronavirus.” pic.twitter.com/sX58UK1A3L
— The Hill (@thehill) April 23, 2020
Wearing a surgical mask, Waters, who is the head of the House Financial Services Committee, explained the details of Thursday’s proposal.
“This legislation provides $370 billion dollars in funding for small businesses, as well as $100 billion for hospitals and coronavirus testing,” she said.
Waters then called on Congress to enact further legislation to provide for struggling “renters, homeowners, people experiencing homelessness, and mom and pop landlords.”
Former presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced earlier in the day that her oldest brother had died after contracting the coronavirus.
