The COVID-19 vaccine saves lives.

It is important to me that we are accurate and when we discuss how and why these policies... were developed, supported, and guided by scientists, healthcare providers, and medical experts.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, they are effective, and significantly reduce the spread of the virus. They save lives.

the world is experiencing the largest global decline in decades in the number of children receiving basic immunizations

It was in large part thanks to lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines that we were able to prevent the loss of another 3.2 million American lives.

I would beg to differ that the primary source of that problem is actually rooted in climate change.

It is by putting people over politics. It is by making sure people have access to accurate and timely information about the thoroughly proven safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

If you don't have contraindications, COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

These public health measures enacted in support and in consultation with public health experts... have been proven to reduce harm and save lives.

What we say and how we say it matters. It can build confidence, or it can manufacture distrust to deleterious effect.

In order to best serve the American people, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, everyone, we must correct course and we must do it now.

Republicans, including Members of the Subcommittee, have said that the COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe.

We cannot deny the role of misinformation in fueling this troubling trend.

We need to update the Endangered Species Act to account for climate risks.

So, if I understand you correctly, we know that over 99 percent of species under the ESA have not gone extinct.

Contrary to this hearing's title, the ESA has really been successful in preventing the extinction of at-risk species.

Ten years ago, on the Endangered Species Act 40th anniversary, he warned of the dangers of partisan bickering and political agendas in undermining the survival of the ESA.

Some of my colleagues are trying to move in the opposite direction, and water down the ESA.

We have a moral obligation to be good stewards of our nation's rich wildlife and ensure we can share these iconic species with generations of Americans to come.

I really am concerned about the recent attacks on the ESA that we are seeing in the Congress.

In fact, as all of you know here, he was the lead author of the Endangered Species Act that was enacted 50 years ago.

I think ESA has been a critical tool. But I think it is important to recognize how we can further strengthen by doing some things ahead of time, like RAWA, which I want to work with all of my colleagues in before species need to be listed.

The Endangered Species Act works. Ninety-nine percent of species listed have avoided extinction, as we just heard.

We all want the facts. We need the facts because we have an enormous responsibility as Members of this Committee to make sure we are ready for the next pandemic.

In fact, the information Dr. Andersen laid out is publicly available for everyone, those watching, get the facts, including my Republican colleagues, to see online at NIH's website.