Sheila Jackson Lee: “At any moment we can have a surge of COVID-19. We saw that at the beginning of the convergence of the flu, which was…”

“At any moment we can have a surge of COVID-19. We saw that at the beginning of the convergence of the flu, which was high this year, and COVID. So I don't celebrate this legislation. I don't take angst or anger with the individual who thinks this is the right way, but I know that I am on the right side. I am on the dominant side of truth that 6 million-plus died, 1.1 million died here in the United States and 500 are dying every day. This is not a time to precipitously end the emergency declaration. We should also make sure that we are not creating chaos and confusion. Mr. Speaker, I again emphasize that we need not have chaos and confusion. Unfortunately, I see no purpose in this bill and will vote against it. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 382--the Pandemic is Over Act, which would terminate the COVID-19 public health emergency that was declared on January 31, 2020, on the date of the bill's enactment. Yesterday President Biden announced that the Public Health Emergency would officially end on May 11, 2023. The purpose of doing this would be to allow hospitals, health care workers, and health officials the ability to manage changes that will come with ending the public health emergency declaration.…”