President Donald Trump is asking several bipartisan lawmakers to join the White House’s task force dedicated to advising measures for reopening the U.S. economy.
The White House is inviting Democratic, Republican, and Independent lawmakers to the panel.
According to The Hill, Senate Democratic lawmakers invited include:
- Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.)
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)
- Sen. Angus King (I-Maine)
- Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.)
- Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.)
- Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)
- Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.)
- Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)
- Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.)
Senate Republicans include:
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)
- Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.)
- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)
- Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
- Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)
House Democrats include:
- Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)
- Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.)
- Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.)
- Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.)
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.)
- Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.)
- Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.)
- Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas)
House Republicans include:
- House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)
- House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.)
- Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.)
- Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.)
- Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)
- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.)
- Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas)
Some of the invited lawmakers have taken to Twitter to share their reactions to the task force.
Cruz — who previously self-quarantined after potential coronavirus exposure at the Conservative Political Action Conference — expressed that he was “pleased” to join the task force.
“Pleased to join [Donald Trump] and his bipartisan task force for re-opening the economy,” Cruz tweeted. “With more than 22 million jobless claims filed in the last month, we must take steps now to help people safely return to work as we continue to [Combat COVID19].”
Pleased to join @realDonaldTrump and his bipartisan task force for re-opening the economy. With more than 22 million jobless claims filed in the last month, we must take steps now to help people safely return to work as we continue to #CombatCOVID19. https://t.co/AnAdToUBhm
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) April 16, 2020
Loeffler also expressed gratitude about being added to the task force.
“Thank you, [Donald Trump] for appointing me to your taskforce on re-opening America safely in the wake of [COVID 19]. With 22 million Americans filing for unemployment, it’s clear we must start working to revive our economy and get the American people back to work safely.”
The full list of participants that will be a part of the task force to advise on the reopening is expected to be released by the White House.
Thank you, @realDonaldTrump for appointing me to your task force on re-opening America safely in the wake of #COVID19.
— Senator Kelly Loeffler (@SenatorLoeffler) April 16, 2020
With 22 million Americans filing for unemployment, it’s clear we must start working to revive our economy and get the American people back to work safely.
Honored to join @realDonaldTrump’s task force of elected officials, industry leaders, and economists to develop a plan to smartly and safely re-open our country.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) April 16, 2020
America had the greatest economy in the world before the Coronavirus outbreak. Together, we will build it again. 🇺🇸
Thank you @realdonaldtrump for the honor of serving on your bipartisan Task Force to Reopen the Economy!
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) April 16, 2020
I’ll fight for #NY21 small businesses & hardworking families! We will ultimately defeat #COVIDー19, protect public health, & rebuild our booming economy!
I'm honored @realDonaldTrump has given me the opportunity to serve on the Task Force on Reopening the Economy. Before COVID-19 our economy was as strong as it had ever been. Under @POTUS' leadership, I believe our nation can reclaim that momentum. https://t.co/RgtD5wg49j
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 16, 2020
I am honored @realDonaldTrump has selected me to serve on his Congressional Economic Task Force. I look forward to working with him to chart a path forward to reopening our country and rebuilding our economy.
— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) April 16, 2020
I'm honored @realDonaldTrump has asked me to join a bipartisan congressional task force to provide advice and input about reopening America's economy as we continue to manage this crisis and combat COVID-19. I look forward to helping inform how we ensure a strong, swift recovery.
— Senator John Boozman (@JohnBoozman) April 16, 2020
During Thursday’s White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing, Trump is expected to announce new guidelines on reopening the country.
As of Thursday afternoon, the U.S. has more than 640,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 30,000 deaths.
