Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


New York Lawmakers Call for Federal Aid for Burials

VOA News

   New York Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Alexandria
   Ocasio-Cortez Tuesday called on the federal government to provide
   funding for funeral and burial assistance across New York state.

   At a news conference in Ocasio-Cortez's district, in the Queens borough
   of New York City, the two lawmakers said the use of the Federal
   Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Funeral Assistance program
   would help low-income communities and communities of color afford to
   bury loved ones who have died during the COVID-19 pandemic.

   They argued that New York and especially Ocasio-Cortez's district in
   Queens and the Bronx have been the hardest hit by COVID-19.

   Schumer, who is the U.S. Senate minority leader, noted FEMA helped pay
   for funerals in the wake of 2012's Hurricane Sandy, which struck parts
   of New York.

   President Donald Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration on March
   20, but FEMA must approve special funeral assistance, which is
   currently under review.

   Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez called for swift approval to help struggling
   families hit by the pandemic crisis.

.