(WXYZ) — We're being joined by two members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and what the government is doing to address it for tonight's 7 UpFront segment.
Representative Debbie Dingell (D)-Michigan and Representative Bill Huizenga (R)-Michigan will address both that pandemic response and the financial stimulus needs of Michiganders.
You can see the full interview in the video player above.
"We have two things coming together at the same time," says Dingell. "The budget or the government runs out on December 11. I think that most Republicans agree that we cannot afford a government shutdown in the middle of this pandemic."
"I just think our job is to get something done and I'm hopeful that we will be able to come to agreement on some package that will give people immediate relief so we can go a longer package in January," she added.
"I believe that we have an urgency that's there. But this is not a new urgency," says Huizenga. "I can tell you that over on the west side (of the state) we've got pockets of prosperity and pocket of real dire situations. Now some of that depends on what the industry is. Construction is doing very well. Manufacturing is doing well. Ask any restaurant owner. Ask any small venue owner, whether it's for wedding banquets or small concert venues. Anyone connected to tourism. They are not just hurting, they are on their last legs."
"I wish we could act today, but we can't leave for the holidays until we get this done," Dingell says. "I do believe we will get something done in the next couple of weeks."
"We're going to be back on Monday, but I wish we would've been able to make more progress and we need people of good will and good faith getting in there and doing this," Huizenga says.
