Rep. Adams Sent Letters to President Trump Calling for a Major Disaster Declaration in North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, NC – On Wednesday, March 25, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) sent two bipartisan letters to President Trump in support of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Major Disaster declaration for the State of North Carolina as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. On the first letter, she is joined by Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, and Representatives G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), George Holding (NC-02), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), David E. Price (NC-04), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Mark Walker (NC-06), David Rouzer (NC-07), and Richard Hudson (NC-08).

On the second letter, Congresswoman Adams was joined in her request by all 17 members of North Carolina's General Assembly Delegation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board Chair Elyse Dashew, Mecklenburg County Commission Chair George Dunlap, and six Mecklenburg County Mayors.

“Over 80,000 North Carolinians applied for unemployment insurance last week, far exceeding the typical weekly average. Many workers in local industries, from motor sports to mom and pop shops, do not currently qualify for many forms of federal aid, but would under a major disaster declaration,” wrote Congresswoman Adams. “Given the extent of the severe economic impacts of this pandemic, a major declaration is warranted. A major disaster declaration will allow North Carolina to get the resources it needs to provide relief during this public health emergency."

In a comment, Congresswoman Adams added, "If we don’t provide resources to soften the blow of mandatory business closures it will make the recovery after the crisis exponentially harder. I hope that President Trump will heed our bipartisan call for action, declare a major disaster in North Carolina, and release funds for disaster unemployment insurance for North Carolina workers and families. Additionally, I will continue to work in Congress for an economic stimulus that, among other measures, will put emergency cash in the pockets of the workers who need it most, including those who just found out they are out of a job.”

A major disaster declaration is essential for North Carolina's economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Politico reported today that "Disaster unemployment assistance allows workers who aren't eligible for traditional unemployment benefits, like Uber drivers and other gig economy workers, to receive 26 weeks' unemployment benefits if their job loss is attributable to a disaster that eliminates their job or keeps them from reaching their job site. To receive disaster employment assistance, a state must be declared a disaster area by the president."

Earlier this week, Congresswoman Adams hosted a Tele-Town hall attended by over 2000 constituents to connect Charlotte and Mecklenburg County residents with the resources and assistance they need to weather the coronavirus pandemic.