On the recordFebruary 7, 2023
Let me just say we will all have an opportunity to debate this legislation in general debate. I do think it is important to frame the challenges that all of these particular initiatives have. Frankly, let me, first of all, say that I am disappointed that the Rules Committee did not let a very straightforward amendment which I think expresses the view of many of us to strike the entire text of H.R. 185. During the pandemic, I organized a bipartisan COVID-19 task force. We worked very hard; included a Republican, a doctor, and other Members. We held meetings with doctors. We held meeting with scientists, hospital administrators. They were very grateful. Many of you may have heard me say that I did over 70-plus testing sites and over 70-plus vaccination sites, going up to 150 in my community. It is about the science. People understood the science and they gravitated toward vaccines. That means that any elimination of the requirement of foreign travelers should be on the science, not to be on the whims of individuals who believe that they are helping to unify families. It is about the science. The reason why we are where we are today, even though there are 500 people getting COVID, and there are people dying every single day, is because more Americans believed in the science than did not. That is why we developed this protection. So I think this is wrongheaded to have this legislation. Finally, H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res.…
