Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/EnKAdLb5KGM

WASHINGTON, D.C. / GLEN ALLEN – Today, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) joined Virginia political, business, and community leaders in a virtual town hall to discuss the importance of American global health, diplomacy, and development programs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the health and safety of all Americans—in Virginia and across the country.

“In Central Virginia and across the country, we’ve seen this pandemic completely turn lives, businesses, and economies upside down. While states and local governments are doing everything they can to fight COVID-19 here at home, we will never defeat this virus unless we also work to combat its spread around the world,” said Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07). “The United States must rise to this challenge and use our country’s global health, diplomacy, and humanitarian programs to alleviate suffering, save lives, and prevent an eventual resurgence here at home. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I fully stand behind these programs — to protect the health and safety of all Americans and to strengthen our country’s necessary leadership on the global stage.”

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted today’s online event at a time when policy makers are considering our country’s response to the pandemic at home and abroad, including resources for the State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

U.S. international engagement is crucial to deal with the pandemic, from a global health perspective as well as an economic one—an especially important matter in Virginia, where over 1 million jobs in the state are tied to international trade and exports to foreign markets total more than $18.4 billion a year.

“From her first day in office, Congresswoman Spanberger has worked across the aisle supporting investments in global health and diplomacy as critical to protecting America’s national security,” said Liz Schrayer, USGLC President and CEO. “And in the face of this global pandemic, she is again standing up for America to lead at home and abroad, because she understands that as long as COVID-19 is anywhere, Americans are still at risk.”

Many of today’s participants are members of the USGLC’s Virginia Advisory Committee, a strong and growing coalition that brings together more than 90 business, faith, non-profit, veteran, and political leaders who understand why American global leadership matters for Virginia.