Despite repeated requests from the White House, Republicans continue to stonewall the vital funding needed to continue supplying tests, treatments, and vaccines to the American people. Republicans must set aside their political games and work with Democrats to pass the additional funding as soon as possible.
Associated Press: As COVID Funding Runs Out, US Could See Rationing Of Supplies. “Jha has warned that without more money, vaccines will be harder to come by, tests will once again be scarce, and the therapeutics that are helping the country weather the current omicron-driven surge in cases without a commensurate increase in deaths could be sold overseas before Americans can access them… The U.S., he said, doesn’t have enough money to purchase additional booster vaccines for anyone who wants one. Instead, the supplies of those vaccines may be restricted to just the most vulnerable — not unlike the chaotic early days of the COVID-10 vaccine roll-out.” [Associated Press, 5/21/22]
The Hill: 5 Risks If Congress Does Not Pass New COVID-19 Funding. “COVID-19 cases are rising across the United States, and the country is expected to be hit with a larger wave this fall and winter when the weather turns colder, with as many as 100 million Americans infected… Here are five risks if the funding does not go forward: Not enough vaccines for everyone in the fall… Running out of treatments… Unable to buy new treatments… Shortages of tests… Cutting back global aid…” [The Hill, 5/12/22]
CNBC: US Faces Unnecessary Covid Deaths if Congress Fails To Pass Funding Bill, Top Health Official Warns. “The nation is reporting more than 94,000 new infections daily on average as of Monday, a 25% increase over the previous week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, hospitalizations have increased 18% over the past week with about 3,000 people admitted with Covid every day on average, according to CDC data… Jha said the U.S. doesn’t have money to buy more vaccines, treatments and manufacture Covid tests for the fall. He warned that the U.S. would face a needless loss of life if Congress fails to pass President Joe Biden’s request for $22.5 billion of Covid funding.” [CNBC, 5/18/22]
CNN: Biden Administration Makes 8 More Free Covid Tests Available To US Households As It Calls On Congress To Pass Additional Funding. “The administration has delivered approximately 350 million free tests so far, the fact sheet said, and this round of tests is being funded with money made available in last year’s stimulus package. The White House has pushed for $22.5 billion in additional funding for testing, treatment and vaccines, and warned on Tuesday that more tests would not be forthcoming without additional spending… At one point earlier this month, the administration asserted that 100 million infections were possible in the fall and winter, though the White House has not released underlying data to support the projection, raising questions about whether political considerations helped shape the figure.” [CNN, 5/17/22]
Vox: “A Lot Of Unnecessary Loss Of Life”: The White House’s Dire Warning On Covid-19 Funding. “The White House has been asking Congress for billions of dollars for the next phase of the pandemic response since early March. It looked as though the money would be quickly approved, but it was pulled from a government spending bill at the last minute. Lawmakers have been trying to finalize a deal ever since… But Congress’s inaction also jeopardizes the pandemic response in the United States. A next generation of Covid-19 vaccines is expected to come to the market soon, but without more funding from Congress, the White House won’t be able to guarantee a shot for every person who wants one. They may have to ration the next-gen vaccine doses that they can afford, limiting access to the most vulnerable individuals, a possibility that Politico referred to as “unthinkable” a year ago.” [Vox, 5/19/22]