Frank Pallone

I am proud of the fact that we did a bipartisan initiative at--in the end-of-the-year package to include, you know, this provision that gives the FTC new authority to seek civil penalties for scams and deceptive practices related to COVID.

I was critical of the lack of a national strategy under President Trump.

I don't want to dwell on the past, but I think it is important to understand the message the Trump administration left behind.

I just want to say I totally agree with you on that, and that is certainly something that we need to continue to look at.

As Chairman Pallone said during our organizing committee just last week, this committee has a rich history of bipartisan cooperation and hard work, perhaps more than any other committee in Congress.

Crushing the virus requires more action from Congress.

This pandemic is taking a devastating toll on families and communities all around our Nation.

So, Congress needs to move President Biden's American Rescue Plan as quickly as possible.

Vaccination rates are increasing, but if we are to accelerate both production and vaccinations, more resources are needed.

There is no more pressing issue to begin with than the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and our response so far.

I think we have the moral and economic duty to invest in this plan for the sake of our country.

As Members of Congress, we have to do everything we can to ensure that this new administration has all of the tools and resources it needs to crush the virus.

With a new administration, and a new Congress, and a new commitment, we can optimize a new beginning.

The previous administration lacked a national strategy to end the pandemic and administer vaccines to Americans efficiently, equitably, and effectively.

As Chairman Pallone said during our organizing meeting last week, this committee has a rich history of bipartisan cooperation and hard work.

We have the moral and economic duty to invest in the American Rescue Plan.

The President has put forward his American Rescue Plan, which recognizes that we are in a battle to save American lives.

As Members of Congress, we must do everything we can to ensure this new administration has all the tools and resources it needs to crush COVID-19.

So I am pleased that President Biden has taken swift and decisive action to improve our response to the pandemic.

Unfortunately, the Trump administration failed to prepare and provide reasons for a national vaccination campaign.

So together, these public health efforts to crush the virus will cost $160 billion.

But now, the Biden administration says they're going to be guided by science and they're going to have a national strategy to beat the pandemic.

I do think, and I've said all along, that we need a national strategy, which is what Biden is trying to accomplish.

I think I agree with him that we need more Federal involvement.

I definitely disagree with what our Ranking Member Rodgers said with regard to not having... more Federal involvement.