Republicans Continue Their Efforts to Sabotage Our Progress on COVID-19
As we approach the somber anniversary of a million American lives lost to COVID-19, Republicans continue their blatant attempts to prolong the pandemic by promoting conspiracy theories and refusing to vote on additional funding vital for continuing our progress and preparing us for whatever comes next.
Republicans have balked on funding COVID-19 time and time again, even when the funding was paired with assistance for Ukraine. “That’s not going to happen,” Idaho Senator Jim Risch said, and Missouri Senator Roy Blunt flat out stated that Republicans would not pass Ukraine assistance if it was tied to COVID-19 funding.
The GOP is politicizing both the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 in order to score political points. If this additional funding is not approved, Republicans will be responsible for the shortages of vaccines, treatments, and boosters. We will be unable to fund research into new variants or more powerful vaccines, leaving us vulnerable to future surges.
Republicans must join with their Democratic colleagues and pass this funding as soon as possible in order to continue our access to vaccines, tests, and treatments necessary for keeping ourselves safe and healthy.
Elsewhere in Republican efforts to prolong the pandemic…
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson participated in a video conference with an anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist where he appeared to agree with the sentiment that the COVID-19 vaccine gives people AIDS, and that doctors like Anthony Fauci and others should be held accountable. Johnson later tried to walk back his comments, but that didn’t stop people with actual medical experience from criticizing him, saying that he clearly doesn’t understand science. Vaccine hesitancy is a major threat in future pandemics, and rhetoric like this will only lead more people to avoiding getting their proper medical care.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul promised to “investigate” the government’s response to COVID-19 if Republicans take the Senate in the midterms this fall, continuing to politicize COVID-19 instead of focusing on making sure people can stay healthy today.
New reporting from BuzzFeed News shows how a Republican activist led the attack on Dr. Anthony Fauci and the NIH and channeled right-wing anger to push a partisan agenda.