Trump Tells Governors He’ll Push for Grants in Virus Stimulus

(Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump told U.S. governors Thursday that he’ll strongly consider providing them grants in a coronavirus stimulus bill under development in Congress and that he won’t take over National Guard units.

Governors Brian Kemp of Georgia, a Republican, and Phil Murphy of New Jersey, a Democrat, told Trump during a call at FEMA headquarters in Washington that they’re concerned about state revenue shortfalls as the virus slows the U.S. economy. Both recommended “block grants” to states as part of the stimulus.

“We’re going to consider that very strongly,” Trump said.

Kemp also asked Trump to leave command over National Guard units with governors. “I like that idea, it’s done,” Trump responded.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said states wanted at least half the supplemental.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, said he’s concerned about coronavirus patients overwhelming his state’s civilian hospitals. He said he had asked to “surge” patients to a Veterans Health Administration hospital in New Orleans, if necessary, but had received no response.

Trump told him he would try to get immediate VA approval for the request.

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