WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Thursday made the following statement after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell postponed recess to work on an economic relief package dealing with the coronavirus pandemic:

“Of course the Senate shouldn’t be leaving town until we’ve done our jobs. Some stuff here is hard, but passing a bill to help families and workers deal with the impacts of coronavirus shouldn’t be. We need free testing so we can understand the scope of the pandemic in our communities and get aid to medical workers. We need universal paid sick leave for all Americans and to provide nutrition assistance to those in need. We need financial assistance to make sure families can weather the storm of a missed paycheck if they cannot go to work. This is not a time for industry bailouts; it’s a time to protect all our constituents as we grapple with a severe public health crisis. Congress has a responsibility to show leadership at this moment when it’s lacking from the White House,” said Murphy.

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