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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICA'S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19
_____
HON. MARCY KAPTUR
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 8, 2020
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise with deep concern regarding the
state of U.S. leadership during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Tragically, over 200,000 people have died worldwide, with more than 3
million confirmed cases. This likely represents just the tip of the
viral iceberg.
The Coronavirus pandemic has caused the worst global health crisis
since the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic.
Real leadership could have contained this devastation. Instead of
leading the global response though, the Administration ignored repeated
warnings from his intelligence experts and undermined the seriousness
of the threat. Those at the very top called it a hoax, squabbled over
the name of the virus, undermined G-7 unity, closed the U.S. border
with Europe without consulting our closest allies, and significantly
delayed the opportunity to slow the spread of the disease both globally
and domestically.
Worse yet, despite warnings during the administration transition of
the possible security threats of a viral pandemic, they hollowed out
and eliminated the National Security Council's Directorate for Global
Health Security and Biodefense at Home. Now, we face the highest number
of reported infections in the world, with more than 970,000 cases, and
an alarming risk of spread rates because we still lack adequate testing
capabilities.
In the absence of American leadership, malign actors including China,
Russia and Cuba have filled the void. They provided and pledged
humanitarian assistance to Italy, the Philippines, and other nations in
desperate need of assistance. Authoritarian governments have used the
ensuing chaos to consolidate their rule. Take Russian President Putin's
constitutional referendum to extend presidential term limits or
Hungarian Prime Minister Orban's recent parliamentary moves to rule by
decree. But worse yet, also to spread misinformation about the disease
and democratic response. Threatening further the domestic political
divisions already ripe with tension.
What makes our nation great is not only the American people's
ingenuity to solve problems at home, but also our generosity and
creativity to lead with our values when the world faces crisis. Six
years ago, the U.S. led the fight against the Ebola crisis from the
beginning. We developed, coordinated, and led a worldwide response to
the Ebola outbreak, as well as strengthened our preparedness at home.
As a result, we stopped the outbreak and kept the homeland safe.
It is long past time for the Administration to play a leading role in
the global pandemic coordination response. As the richest nation on
earth with leading global health experts, real leadership would
coordinate and contain the virus domestically then turn to aid the
international community. Real leadership would not cast blame and
withhold international aid to organizations leading the global fight.
Real leadership would be fully supporting critical, independent news
outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America who
are providing credible news services and countering Russian and Chinese
disinformation.
Americans are at risk of further waves of infection back in the
homeland. The most vulnerable around the world are suffering. Global
coordination and collaboration is vital, not only to keep Americans
safe, but also to maintain the U.S.'s position as the leader of the
free world and to maintain democratic values in countries across the
globe.
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