Coronavirus crisis: Burchett asks for togetherness, not divisiveness

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U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett said now is a time for people to put their politics aside and come together to help one another the best they can.

Burchett, R-Knoxville, and Dr. Tim Jones from the state Department of Health took questions for nearly an hour Friday afternoon on a teleconference about the coronavirus, doing their best to reassure a weary public of next steps, best advice and places to find more information.

Burchett’s role in the call was fairly simple: He answered a few questions about legislation, but he was mostly facilitator for Jones. Afterward, he said now is a time to draw together.

“It sounds corny, but the reality is that there are dirtbags out there who will use this politically,” he said. “This is not an issue to use politically. It should be off the table. But people are going to use it for fundraising and everything else and that’s unfortunate.

“I think that’s bush league and just shows how far people will scrape the barrel to either stay in power or get in power,” he said.

Would give the money away

Burchett stressed that the federal government should be quicker to help out “mom and pop” small businesses like the woman who called with a question from Sevier County saying her cabin renting business could go belly-up this summer. He said those businesses should be first in line and not the airliners and hotels.

To that point, Burchett said he’s asked that members of Congress not be eligible for the government payment to citizens. Senate Republicans on Thursday released a $1-trillion economic stimulus plan, which would distribute a $1,200 payment for each individual or $2,400 for joint returns.

More: Stimulus check: What we know (and don't)

“Millionaires don’t need the money, and I’m not one, but I don’t need the money,” he said.

If members do get it, he said, he would donate the money he receives.