Washington, D.C. – House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) released the following statement on H.R. 14, the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act, which was introduced this morning by Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08) and cosponsored by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Ranking Members Kevin Brady (TX-08), Greg Walden (OR-02) and Kay Granger (TX-12):
“Last month, the Trump Administration updated the public on the progress of developing a safe and effective vaccine. They announced a fourth vaccine candidate had entered the crucial Phase III trials, just eight months after the virus was identified.
“This was the latest reminder that the Trump Administration’s coordinated national effort, the largest since World War II, has yielded historic results against the greatest public health and economic crisis of our lifetime.
“House Republicans continue to support their efforts. Consistent with our Commitment to America, today we are introducing the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and Keep America Healthy Act.
“This legislation will further unleash American innovation while also fixing broken aspects in the delivery of our health care.
“It provides more funding to develop and distribute a safe and effective vaccine. It expands affordable access to testing, telehealth services, and health savings accounts. And it addresses the need for mental health and substance abuse treatment after months of isolating lockdowns, the tragic consequences of which cannot be ignored. It means more savings, more choice, and higher quality care for more Americans.
“Additionally, it takes steps to guard against future pandemics by modernizing our strategic national stockpile and bringing manufacturing supply chains back to America. The last few months demonstrated America’s dangerous dependence on the Chinese Communist Party for medicine and PPE is as much a health risk as it is a national security risk. We must protect ourselves, and this bill will help make that possible.
“We are miles ahead of where we were in March and where many other nations are today. We didn’t ask for the virus, we didn’t invite it, we didn’t choose it, but we will defeat it. We are making progress.
“It’s time to build on that progress. House Democrats should join us in reinforcing the Trump Administration’s successes in responding to the coronavirus.
“We must do everything we can to defeat this virus and restore the American way of life.”