Indiana Rep. Hollingsworth: Losing American Lives "Lesser Of Two Evils"

Trey Hollingsworth is ready for Americans to get back to work.

(Washington, D.C.) – An Indiana congressman is receiving backlash for comments made about the biological and economic impact COVID-19 has had on Americans.

In a radio interview Tuesday morning on 93.1 FM WIBC out of Indianapolis, Republican Trey Hollingsworth (IN-9) stressed the importance of getting Americans back to work.

“The decision that needs to be made is to get Americans back to work, back to their jobs, back to their businesses, back to school, back to churches,” said Hollingsworth. “That’s the decision that needs to be made.”

As the interview continued on, Hollingsworth was asked how he would respond to being called “anti-science” and getting people killed if it turned out to be the wrong decision to reopen the economy.

Hollingsworth answered by saying there is “no zero harm” choice here. “Both of these decisions will lead to harm for individuals, whether that’s dramatic economic harm or the loss of life,” said Hollingsworth. “It is always the American government’s position to say, in the choice between the loss of our way of life as Americans and the loss of life, of American lives, we have to always choose the latter.”

In a statement following the interview, Hollingsworth said it would be hyperbolic to say that the only choices before us are no economy or widespread casualties.

A $2 trillion economic relief package was signed weeks ago by President Trump to assist American workers, families and small businesses. Some have already received their stimulus checks.

Hollingsworth did vote in favor of the CARES Act but added that “no amount of money and effort out of Washington, D.C. will solve this problem like Americans can.”

Fellow Republican and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has hinted at possibly loosening restrictions to Indiana’s “Stay at Home” order sometime next week as a way to slowly re-open the economy.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to urge social distancing, frequent handwashing and avoiding large gatherings, among other things to slow the spread of the virus.

To learn more about how to protect yourself from COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/