Advocacy Update ~ March 9, 2020

Legislative Update

Gavi Resolution Introduced in the House of Representatives & Senate!

Representatives Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Susan Brooks (R-IN) introduced H.Res. 861, on February 21, a resolution supporting GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. The resolution affirms continued support in Congress, and calls for multi-year pledges in order to maximize the program’s work around the world. The Senate version of the bill, S.Res. 511, is led by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Global Health Security Act Introduced in the Senate

Senator Angus King (I-ME) introduced S. 3302, the Global Health Security Act last month. This bill is slightly different compared to the House bill of the same name, H.R. 2166, sponsored by Representative Gerald Connolly (D-VA) and Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH). The House bill was scheduled for markup on March 4. At the same markup meeting, the House Foreign Affairs Committee also considered  H.Res. 742, recognizing the continued success of the Food for Peace Act. Both passed unanimously.

Intelligence and Information Sharing Act Passed through Senate Committee

H.R. 1589 – CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2019 sponsored by Representative Mark Walker (R-NC) passed through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The bill expands the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security to support intelligence analysis and risk assessment of global infectious disease, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues; and share information and support to threats to state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities. 

Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations Hearings

• On March 3, Mark Green testified before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a hearing on the USAID budget.
• On March 4, Dr. Francis Collins, Director of NIH testified before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding the FY21 budget.

Coronavirus Update

H.R. 6074: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for COVID-19 swiftly passed the House and Senate and President Trump signed it into law on March 6. A breakdown will be explained on the COVID-19 Information Page on our website. 

The White House announced on February 27, that Ambassador Deborah Birx would serve as Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Several hearings in Congress have occurred or are scheduled to discuss the implications of and response for COVID-19. 

• House:
  • February 5, 2020: The Wuhan Coronavirus: Assessing the Outbreak, the Response, and Regional Implications
  • February 26, 2020: Hearing on the FY21 HHS Budget and Oversight of the Coronavirus Outbreak
  • February 27, 2020: Coronavirus Disease 2019: THe U.S. and International Response
  • March 4, 2020: Confronting the Coronavirus: Perspectives on the Response to a Pandemic Threat
  • March 5, 2020: Beyond Coronaviruses: Understanding the Spread of Infectious Diseases and Mobilizing Innovative Solutions
• Senate
  • February 12, 2020: Roundtable: Are We Prepared? Protecting the U.S. from Global Pandemics
  • March 3, 2020: An Emerging Disease Threat: How the U.S. Is Responding to COVID-19, the Novel Coronavirus 
  • March 4, 2020: From SARS to Coronavirus: Examining the Role of Global Aviation in Containing the Spread of Infectious Disease
  • March 5, 2020: The Federal Interagency Response to the Coronavirus and Preparing for Future Global Pandemics

President Trump reauthorized the establishment of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.

 

This post was written by Rebecca Daedalus, Advocacy & Community Partnerships Coordinator, and Kiki Kalkstein, Director of Advocacy and Engagement.