Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/esDyuszB3HM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL-22) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25) joined Florida political, business, and community leaders in a virtual town hall to discuss the importance of working beyond party lines to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and why our country’s global health, diplomacy, and development programs are critical to protect the health and safety of all Americans—in Florida and across the country.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has compromised the health of millions and devastated communities in our state, our country, and much of the world. We cannot lose momentum in the fight against this deadly pandemic at home and abroad,” said Rep. Diaz-Balart (R-FL). “We can slow the global spread of COVID-19 and ease the impact on our health, economy, and well-being— but only by working together. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am dedicated to working alongside my colleagues to support robust funding for a U.S. international response to COVID-19 and any future global health emergency.”

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted today’s online event at a time when policy makers are considering our country’s response to the pandemic at home and abroad, including resources for the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

“Global health security is closely tied to national security. To protect our country during this pandemic, we must also do our part to help counter COVID-19 in the global community— and resources for the CDC, USAID, and State Department are critical to accomplish this,” said Rep. Deutch (D-FL). “As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I know how vital America’s global engagement is to address complex challenges like COVID-19. Now more than ever, we need to ensure we have the resources and coordination necessary for the United States and the world to recover— and emerge stronger— from this global health crisis.”

U.S. international engagement is crucial to deal with the pandemic, from a global health perspective as well as an economic one—an especially important matter in Florida, where over 2.2 million jobs in the state are tied to international trade and exports to foreign markets total more than $55 billion a year.

“In today’s political climate, our discussion today proves bipartisanship is not dead — especially when we are addressing the imperative of America’s role in responding to a global pandemic,” said Liz Schrayer, USGLC President & CEO. “Representatives Deutch and Diaz-Balart, both highly respected leaders on foreign policy, truly understand why investing in diplomacy, global health, and American aid programs is critical to stopping the spread of the virus and protecting communities in Florida and around the world.”

Many of today’s participants are members of the USGLC’s Florida Advisory Committee, a strong and growing coalition that brings together more than 250 business, faith, non-profit, veteran, and political leaders who understand why American global leadership matters for Florida.