Trump names Pence to lead coronavirus response | TheHill

President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump passes Pence a dangerous buck Overnight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Trump nods at reputation as germaphobe during coronavirus briefing: 'I try to bail out as much as possible' after sneezes MORE on Wednesday announced that Vice President Pence would lead the administration’s coronavirus response, seeking to bolster public confidence after days of mixed messages from top officials.Trump’s comments in the White House briefing room Wednesday sought to change the course on what Democrats said was an inadequate response to the coronavirus, which has spread quickly across the globe.“The number one priority from our standpoint is the health and safety of the American people,” said Trump, who was flanked by Pence and members of the White House’s coronavirus task force.“We are ready to adapt if we have to, as the disease spreads, if it spreads,” Trump said. … It’s going to be very well under control,” Trump said.The CDC’s Anne Schuchat said there will be more cases, and urged the public to be prepared.“The trajectory of what we’re looking at over the weeks and months ahead is very uncertain,” she said.She said now was the perfect time for businesses, universities and schools to “look at their pandemic preparedness plans, dust them off and make sure that they’re ready.”Pence said his role would be to work with the task force to bring the “best options for action” to the president and to “see to the safety and well-being and health of the American people.”Trump is trying to balance a legitimate public health emergency while projecting confidence that his administration has things under control, in part to calm the stock markets.The Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen more than 2,000 points this week over fears related to the virus.Lawmakers from both parties have expressed concern that the administration’s $2.5 billion emergency funding request is too low, but there’s not yet agreement on just how much is needed.Trump said Wednesday he would be happy to take however much money Congress decides to give him.He also accused Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump passes Pence a dangerous buck Overnight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Stone judge under pressure over calls for new trial MORE (D-Calif.) of trying to score political points by criticizing his administration’s response.“I think Speaker Pelosi is incompetent,” he said.“All they’re trying to do is get a political advantage. If they want to give us more money that’s okay we’ll take more money.”Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerTrump passes Pence a dangerous buck Democratic mega-donor reaching out to Pelosi, Schumer in bid to stop Sanders: report Trump administration freezes funding for study of hurricane barriers: report MORE (D-N.Y.) publicly called for $8.5 billion in emergency funding Wednesday, urging Congress to “act swiftly” as cases of the coronavirus increase abroad.Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyOvernight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — Trump taps Pence to lead coronavirus response | Trump accuses Pelosi of trying to create panic | CDC confirms case of 'unknown' origin | Schumer wants .5 billion in emergency funds Trump names Pence to lead coronavirus response McCarthy: White House coronavirus funding request 'a little low' MORE (R-Calif.) said the package could be about $4 billion, while Rep. Rosa DeLauroRosa Luisa DeLauroTrump names Pence to lead coronavirus response New Social Security rule limits access to non-English speakers On The Money: Deficit spikes 25 percent through January | Mnuchin declines to say why Trump pulled Treasury nominee who oversaw Roger Stone case | Lawmakers trade insults over Trump budget cuts MORE (D-Conn.), a key appropriator, said the total would likely be higher than that.A House Democratic aide said bipartisan, bicameral meetings started Wednesday to work out the details of the supplemental.Trump’s decision to elevate Pence to lead the response came after the administration spent much of Wednesday debating whether a czar was needed.Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar spent Wednesday telling lawmakers that he was in charge of the response, and there was no need to appoint an additional czar to lead the efforts.“I serve as the lead on this … I work on a daily basis with the chief of staff and the president.