In an effort to combat the skyrocketing cases of COVID-19 that the sunshine state is facing, Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) introduced the Set Testing and Objective Plans (STOP) COVID-19 Act. The bill would create a program for both cities and counties, increasing testing, contact tracing, and strengthening transparency efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.
The bill would also “authorize an 100% federal share for the first two months, using unspent money in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund,” noting that it “will continue after two months unless the city or county fails to attain the success metrics, then a 25% cost-share would apply.”
The bill comes after the vaccine has already begun to be distributed to Americans, and Senator Scott asserts that his legislation is a response because “we can’t let our guard down” in the face of skyrocketing numbers.
The former Governor of Florida detailed that “as infections continue across the nation, all levels of government must work together or transparent, efficient and measurable ways to contain the spread.” With the bill, the effort “will be data-focused, so communities know what they are doing well and what they need to work on.”
He affirmed that in order to keep Americans safe, “we must keep working to end the coronavirus and give Americans as much information as possible, so we can get back to our new normal.”
This week, lawmakers also compromised on a COVID-19 relief bill that would provide Americans with $600 to help Americans financially struggling during this time. In response, President Donald Trump (R) argued that it was an embarrassing aid to the American people, and he urged Congress to provide Americans with $2000 while also commenting that Congress should cut down on foreign spending.
