International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 7/30/2021
Actions
- 2021-07-30Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 112.
- 2021-07-30Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- 2021-07-30Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- 2021-07-28Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2021-06-24Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2021-06-24Introduced in Senate
CRS Summary
As of 2021-07-30 (25)
International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act of 2021
This bill outlines U.S. foreign policy to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to future pandemics and disasters.
With respect to COVID-19, the Department of State must develop a strategy to expand and expedite access to COVID-19 vaccines in other countries. The bill also allows for the use of any foreign assistance for activities to combat COVID-19, regardless of the original purpose of the funding. Additionally, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development must protect and support humanitarian actors responding to secondary effects of the pandemic (e.g., food insecurity).
Furthermore, the State Department must report on, and take other steps to address, restrictions and violations of human rights in the COVID-19 response measures of other countries, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media must focus its communication programs on combating propaganda and providing accurate information related to COVID-19.
With respect to future pandemics and disasters, the bill (1) designates agencies responsible for carrying out preparedness and response activities, and (2) authorizes a committee within the National Security Council to coordinate government-wide response efforts. Additionally, the President must establish a strategy for advancing U.S. global health security; the bill creates a position in the State Department to promote this strategy.
Moreover, the State Department must work with other international actors to establish a financing mechanism and otherwise promote global health security, including by strengthening health systems and disease surveillance in developing countries.
Additionally, funding authorized by this bill may not be made available to China.
Cosponsors (6)
- Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
- Christopher Murphy (D-CT)
- Rob Portman (R-OH)
- Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
- Charles Grassley (R-IA)
- Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Subjects
- Advisory bodies
- Africa
- Asia
- Cardiovascular and respiratory health
- Caribbean area
- Child health
- Child safety and welfare
- China
- Community life and organization
- Congressional oversight
- Cuba
- Department of State
- Detention of persons
- Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
- Disability and health-based discrimination
- Emergency medical services and trauma care
- Europe
- Executive Office of the President
- Executive agency funding and structure
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.