Democrat Schumer says $30 billion in federal funds needed to distribute COVID vaccine

[November 30, 2020]    (Reuters) - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Sunday that $30 billion in federal funds was needed to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine as legislative negotiations over an economic relief bill remain stalled.

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results and the continuing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., November 12, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

Schumer, a Democrat, said that New York state alone would need "hundreds of millions" for distribution and education work around the distribution of the vaccine.

"This should be a moment of clarity for everyone," Schumer, who represents New York, told reporters in a brief press conference. "This is a huge crisis and we need big relief."

(Reporting by Raphael Satter)

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