April 28, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 80 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E400-E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              AMERICA'S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TED S. YOHO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2020

  Mr. YOHO. Madam Speaker, the United States, along with the rest of 
the world, currently finds itself in the midst sofa global emergency of 
epic proportions. Never in the modern era has every nation on Earth 
been brought to their knees so quickly by a pandemic that threatens our 
security, our economy, and the social fabric of our lives.
  The United States, and the rest of the world, were woefully 
unprepared for the arrival of COVID-19. Our underestimation of 
infectious diseases goes back multiple administrations, when we had 
ample opportunity to secure our essential supply chains, ensure 
stockpiles of PPE, and dedicate the necessary resources to research and 
study emerging diseases.
  If there is one bright side of our current crisis, it is that our 
nation will never again take for granted our health security. President 
George W. Bush and industry leaders like Bill Gates forewarned us that 
our country would need to take proactive measures to prepare for the 
next pandemic. We clearly failed in heeding their warnings. COVID-19 
will not be the last health crisis we face, and we must use the lessons 
we have learned to aggressively build up our capacity to prevent future 
pandemics.
  As a veterinarian, it's no secret that I have been vocal on the 
threat of zoonotic diseases and the dangers of animal to human 
transmission. Just recently, I introduced the Advancing Emergency 
Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2019, which would improve public 
health preparedness by helping federal agencies implement a ``One 
Health'' approach, recognizing that the health of people is linked to 
the health of animals and the environment. Multiple studies by the CDC 
have found that 6 out of 10 infectious diseases were seen in animals 
before humans, including the virus we face now. Coordination between 
government agencies is essential in addressing and eliminating zoonotic 
outbreaks, which is why the One Health model would improve 
synchronization between veterinarians and doctors by requiring the 
Department of Homeland Security and United States Department of 
Agriculture to work together.
  Historically, the United States has applied its health expertise to 
the global stage as well, in the form of direct support and 
contributions to multilateral health organizations. The U.S. has 
historically been one of the largest donors to organizations like the 
Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), which utilizes 
market forces and private sector partnerships to drive down medical 
costs and develop and deliver new and underused vaccines to developing 
nations. Similarly, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 
(PEPFAR), established by President George W. Bush in 2003, has saved 
millions worldwide by providing essential resources for prevention, 
treatment, and vaccine research. It is through smart investments like 
these that the United States demonstrates leadership on global health 
security.
  But we can, and must, do more. As we have seen, our current efforts 
were not enough to stop the spread of coronavirus from infecting 
millions and killing hundreds of thousands. We must prepare for the 
next pandemic by partnering with initiatives like the Coalition for 
Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), an alliance aimed at 
coordinating the development of new vaccines to prevent and contain new 
infectious disease epidemics. CEPI works directly with industry, 
universities, and private research and development organizations to 
leverage a dedicated approach to advancing vaccine research. Currently, 
CEPI has reoriented its entire organizational structure to address 
COVID-19 and is advancing eight vaccine candidates at a rapid pace.
  However, despite multiple multimillion-dollar contributions from 
Norway, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the Gates Foundation, 
the United States has yet to donate a cent. CEPI represents the next 
frontier in health security preparedness, and the United States must 
take the initiative if we are to continue leading international efforts 
on health security.
  If we abdicate our place as a leader in global health, there is 
another country eager to take the reins. China has not been subtle in 
asserting itself on global health issues, and often not for the benefit 
of other nations. China's recent coronavirus debacle should be evidence 
enough that their communist regime cannot be trusted to lead with 
accountability, transparency, or pragmatism, traits that are essential 
when fighting widespread disease.
  As for how China would fare as a global health leader, look no 
further than the disastrous initial response by the WHO to coronavirus, 
one that was clearly influenced by Beijing. Information was slow-
walked, warnings from nations like Taiwan were ignored at crucial 
turning points, and cooperation with outside health experts was spurned 
until it was too late. And it has resulted in the largest

[[Page E401]]

public health disaster the world has seen in over a century.
  The United States and the rest of the world cannot afford to 
relinquish authority over global health security, or to isolate 
ourselves from protecting the wellbeing of other nations. We must 
continue to think aggressively and plan for the long term while 
supporting international public-private partnerships like GAVI and 
CEPI. Let this be a watershed moment for our nation as a mistake to 
never repeat. With countless human lives and livelihoods at stake, the 
time for gambling with global health security is done.

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