Shaheen Underscores Critical Need to Swiftly Deliver COVID Relief as U.S. Marks 500,000 Deaths from COVID-19

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement after the United States reached 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, underscoring the urgent need for Congress to finalize comprehensive relief legislation:

“Today marks a devastating milestone for our nation. The loss of 500,000 American lives is felt across the country, with children, parents, friends and neighbors grappling with indescribable grief and sorrow. My thoughts are with loved ones in mourning and those currently battling the virus,” said Shaheen. “As families grieve these losses and hold their loved ones a little tighter, they’re looking to Congress to deliver hope and relief during this crisis. Congress must move swiftly to pass a comprehensive relief package to ensure our hospitals, businesses, families and communities have the resources needed to get through and respond to the pandemic, and to save lives. Bolstering vaccine administration efforts – a glimmer of hope that paves the way for a return to some normalcy – must continue to be a top priority. But that is one part of our robust strategy to get to the other side of the COVID-19 crisis, which is why our bipartisan efforts in Congress to deliver relief must go on. There must continue to be a bipartisan urgency to get this done and I’ll keep working to deliver federal relief that responds to the needs of Granite Staters and all Americans struggling.”