WASHINGTON, DC — On Wednesday, Representative Chip Roy (R-TX-21) led 18 of his colleagues in calling on Speaker McCarthy to take up serious reforms to the public health system to protect the American people from federal overreach during the next pandemic through the reauthorization of so-called “must pass” Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
“The federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally failed the American people,” the lawmakers wrote. “Acknowledgment of this reality should form the foundation for any reauthorization of the agencies and programs even tangentially responsible for coordinating the failed response.”
The group of lawmakers demanded meaningful changes to even consider the legislation on the floor. The lawmakers called for reforms including returning PAHPA-related funding to pre-COVID levels, requiring Senate confirmation of the CDC Director, asserting American sovereignty over the World Health Organization, among other reforms.
“Failure to include these reforms risks not just the reauthorization of PAHPA altogether, but the support of our constituents who demand accountability,” the letter continues. “We encourage House Republicans to come together to make further reforms to advance only a legislative package that protects the rights of all Americans, strengthens congressional oversight of the public health system, and ensures accountability for the failed COVID-19 response.”
Co-signers of the letter include Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-5), Dan Bishop (R-NC-8), Josh Brecheen (R-OK-2), Andrew Clyde (R-GA-9), Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), Eli Crane (R-AZ-2), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-9), Ralph Norman (R-SC-5), Bob Good (R-VA-5), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-3), Matt Rosendale (R-MT-2), Clay Higgins (R-LA-3), Ben Cline (R-VA-6), Eric Burlison (R-MO-7), Warren Davidson (R-OH-8) and Andy Ogles (R-TN-5).
Read the full letter here