May 19, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 94 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S2481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CHINA AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I am deeply concerned about reports 
that China began hoarding medical supplies in early January while 
working to prevent the World Health Organization from sounding the 
alarm about the virus pandemic.
  By analyzing international trade data, the Department of Homeland 
Security assessed that the Chinese Government intentionally concealed 
the severity of COVID-19 from the world in early January in order to 
stockpile medical supplies. Furthermore, the Chinese Communist Party 
Government tried to hide its actions by denying there were any export 
restrictions. They even tried to obscure and delay its trade data so it 
wouldn't get caught.
  These acts are outrageous.
  Even worse, the CIA and foreign intelligence agencies have found 
evidence that China threatened the World Health Organization to stop 
cooperating on efforts to combat COVID-19 if the organization declared 
a global health emergency early on. So it was declared, and, hence, 
there was valuable time lost in fighting the virus.
  This is simply unacceptable behavior. The Chinese Communist Party 
ought to be held accountable for the countless lives that have been 
lost around the globe due to its nontransparent, aggressive, inhumane 
behavior.
  The World Health Organization is composed of many honorable and 
dedicated medical professionals who believe in the WHO's mission. If 
any of them were privy to what was going on by the Chinese Communist 
Party, he ought to step forward and shine light on any misdeeds by the 
organization's leadership.
  Whistleblowers are necessary to prevent corruption within any 
institution, which is why I have a longstanding reputation of 
protecting whistleblowers. The world deserves to know what the World 
Health Organization's leaders knew and when they knew it. The evidence 
is quickly becoming crystal clear--that China is responsible for 
tremendous suffering worldwide through its lies and active coverup. 
Telling the truth about the Chinese Communist Party does not, as some 
have suggested, have any bearing on how we analyze our domestic 
response.
  We should learn from democratic countries that have been successful 
in containing outbreaks, like Taiwan and South Korea. However, in going 
forward, everyone around the world should have his eyes open about the 
true nature of the Chinese regime.
  I yield the floor.

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