Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) on Thursday introduced a bill that would give Congress greater oversight of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a copy. from the measure obtained exclusively by The Post
The bill, known as the “End COVID Tyranny Act,” would require congressional appointments and term limits for the heads of both agencies, as well as requiring a majority vote of both chambers to approve an emergency. public health that lasts more than 90 days.
Congress would also appoint an advisory committee to the director of the CDC and with the approval of the comptroller general of the United States.
The measure would also require foreign research laboratories that receive funding from the US government to pass quarterly inspections on cleanliness and animal welfare standards.
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) on Thursday introduced a bill to reverse federal overreach by public health authorities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a copy obtained by The Post. AP
The legislation comes six months after President Biden ended the COVID public health emergency and the national emergency declaration initiated during the administration of his predecessor, Donald Trump, in March 2020.
Many controversial COVID-era policies eluded legislative approval, with federal and state authorities unilaterally imposing lockdowns, mask mandates and vaccine passports, only to face criticism and later change course.
Much of the frustration centered on conflicting public health advice from figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the NIAID, who pushed for strict COVID mandates while downplaying theories that the virus had leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China, who was involved in a risky money grab. NIH-funded function research.
While Trump instituted the first lockdowns by executive order, he resisted a national mask mandate and left office before having to consider federal COVID vaccination requirements.
Many controversial COVID-era policies escaped legislative approval, with federal and state authorities unilaterally imposing lockdowns, mask mandates and vaccine passports. Pablo Martinka
Biden issued a mask mandate for federal employees on his first day in office and required noncitizens to present proof of vaccination upon entering the United States.
The latter measure was repealed in May, along with all vaccine requirements for federal workers, which had been blocked by an appeals court two months earlier.
The Biden administration also saw an attempt to force COVID vaccination or testing on private employers struck down by the Supreme Court.
“The mandates, vaccine passports, forced shutdowns, and overreach imposed by Joe Biden and his army of federal bureaucrats during the COVID pandemic set an extremely dangerous precedent that still persists to this day,” Schmitt said in a statement. .
Much of the frustration centered on conflicting public health advice from figures like NIAID director Dr. Anthony Fauci, who pushed for strict COVID mandates. AFP via Getty Images
“Missourians don’t need anonymous officials buried in a cubicle in Washington telling them how to live their lives; “As a senator, I intend to protect Missourians from more government by fiat by unelected bureaucrats,” he added.
“The Ending COVID Tyranny Act limits the power of executive branch actors and returns the critical oversight role to the Article I power, the power of the people.”
Schmitt’s bill would further ban mask mandates for federal Head Start programs through the end of 2024, allowing Congress to periodically extend the measure.
It would also require hospitals to inform patients of their right to visits from family and friends, and would prevent unvaccinated or COVID-positive people from being denied the right to donate organs.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn