We need to make sure that the Trump administration is effectively responding to the coronavirus outbreak. That’s why I wanted to recap some of the work my office has done over the past few weeks to hold this administration accountable to the American people:
In December, I joined @SenTomCotton, @SenatorRomney, & Senator Kaine in asking the @DeptofDefense about the national security risks posed by America’s reliance on China for pharmaceutical products – a problem that coronavirus has magnified in recent weeks. homelandprepnews.com/stories/41054-…
Over a month ago, HELP Committee ranking member @PattyMurray & I – along with a group of @SenateDems – asked @SecAzar for an update on @HHSGov’s comprehensive response plan to the coronavirus threat. 13newsnow.com/article/news/h…
I also worked with @SenAngusKing to ask @USAID why they were shuttering PREDICT, a program established to identify & combat viruses that may generate global pandemics, including coronaviruses. ktla.com/news/nationwor…
Two weeks ago, I was one of the 25 @SenateDems who pressed @HHSGov & OMB to request emergency funding for the coronavirus outbreak & raised concerns that they’d failed to share details about the resources they needed. thehill.com/policy/healthc…
I also joined @SenFeinstein on a bipartisan letter calling on @HHSGov to establish clear guidelines for how state & local governments will be reimbursed for costs related to assisting the federal coronavirus response. politico.com/states/califor…
The coronavirus response is also about leadership. @PattyMurray & I led 25 of our colleagues in urging the @WHNSC to fill the head of global health security position that's been vacant for almost 2 years with an expert who can address the coronavirus.
rollcall.com/2020/02/13/who…
rollcall.com/2020/02/13/who…
When news reports broke that the administration placed 14 Americans infected with coronavirus on plane with healthy passengers, I requested info from the @StateDept, @HHSGov, & @CDCgov about their chain of command for making these public health decisions.
politico.com/news/2020/02/2…
politico.com/news/2020/02/2…
I introduced legislation that would redirect funds from President Trump’s racist border wall to @HHSGov & @USAID to help prevent the spread of the virus. cnbc.com/2020/02/27/cor…
I also joined @SenMarkey in opposing a proposal to pull funds from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – which helps families in MA & around the country stay warm – to fund the coronavirus response. markey.senate.gov/news/press-rel…
I wrote to @Citi, @JPMorgan, @GoldmanSachs, @BankofAmerica, & @MorganStanley – 5 Too Big to Fail banks – & requested info on how they’re monitoring & managing the coronavirus threat to the global economy. thehill.com/policy/finance…
I asked the @StateDept & @USTreasury for assurances that US sanctions are not preventing basic medical supplies from reaching the people of Iran, who are suffering one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks outside of China. thehill.com/homenews/senat…
The time for the Trump admin to prepare for the coronavirus outbreak should've been months ago & we can’t afford to waste more time. I’ll keep using every tool in my toolbox as a US Senator to make sure our federal govt has an effective response to this public health crisis.
