Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I would like to talk about the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. The HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, or ASPR, is in charge during a public health emergency and serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on these matters. This is not a political or a personal choice for any administration; it is the law. I know because I helped write it. It is a national security position, responsible for keeping Americans safe from public health threats, like COVID-19. It is a role that we envisioned with two types of responsibilities. The ASPR serves an operational role. During an emergency, the ASPR coordinates the public health and medical response--whether that threat is a hurricane, a novel virus, or a chemical attack. The ASPR has the responsibility of overseeing the development, purchase, and deployment of lifesaving countermeasures, like the COVID-19 vaccine. The ASPR is also a policy job, assessing the threat landscape and adjusting our strategies to best position the United States for the threats we face today and in the future. I am glad that today the Senate was able to confirm, by unanimous consent, Dawn O'Connell to be the ASPR. During Ms. O'Connell's nomination process for the job, she repeatedly agreed that she is ready to serve both roles and that the ASPR is in charge during public health emergencies.…”