Sarbanes, Maryland Congressional Delegation Help Secure Major Disaster Declaration, Unlocking Additional Federal Resources to Fight COVID-19

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and the Maryland Congressional Delegation today announced the approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of a major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The approval will deliver additional emergency funding to the state.

On Wednesday, the delegation urged President Trump to swiftly approve Maryland's request. Hours before the declaration was made official on Thursday, members participated in a conference call with FEMA Region 3 Administrator MaryAnn Tierney and other Mid-Atlantic Congressional Delegations to discuss the federal support available to the region.

"During these unprecedented times, Team Maryland continues to work together to provide the maximum available federal resources to protect public health and safety of the people of Maryland," the lawmakers said. "Across the state, Marylanders are making important and necessary sacrifices to stop the spread of this virus and save lives. As a delegation that represents every corner of Maryland, we thank those who are fighting the coronavirus on the frontlines, as well as everyone who has been looking out for their neighbors, listening to medical experts, staying home and staying safe in the face of this pandemic."

Per The White House, the president has designated that "a major disaster exists in the State of Maryland and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020, and continuing."

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