Vice President Mike Pence predicted the American economy would come “roaring back” once the coronavirus crisis runs its course in the country.
“And when we are through the coronavirus, as the president said again today, we know this economy will come roaring back,” Pence told Sean Hannity Tuesday night on Fox News. “All the fundamentals are there, and the best thing we can do for the economy is what the president called on every American to do yesterday in the 15 days to slow the spread.”
The nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus has led to hundreds of thousands of businesses large and small closing for the foreseeable future and millions of American workers who live paycheck to paycheck worried about financial security.
The House passed an economic relief bill over the weekend — legislation that was passed by the Senate on Wednesday.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that President Trump’s administration was looking to put $1 trillion back into the economy in the coming weeks.
“This is a combination of loans. This is a combination of direct checks to individuals. This is a combination of liquidity for small businesses,” Mnuchin said.
Trump conceded Monday that the U.S. economy, if not aided by the federal government, “might be” headed for a recession.
Pence, the head of the White House task force on the coronavirus, gave a rosier outlook.
“We’re working with Congress to ensure that paid leave is available for hard-working Americans but making sure that this economy gets back on its feet, that Americans are able to weather this time has — is also a priority for President Trump. We’re talking with leadership in both parties on Capitol Hill,” he said.
Pence said the fastest way for the U.S. economy to get back on track was through citizens heeding the warning and guidance of U.S. health officials.
“The more we can do, every single one of us, to prevent the spread in our family, in our community, at our place of work, the sooner we will be through this,” Pence said. “It will still be weeks and months to go, but we can lessen the impact of the coronavirus in the weeks and months ahead, and we can save lives.”
