The Republican senator who led negotiations with the White House over new financing for the pandemic accused the Biden administration on Thursday of giving “obviously false” information when it said it had run out of money to fund more coronavirus vaccines and treatments. buy, in a tense atmosphere. exchange that seemed to lessen the chances of Congress approving new funds.
Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney said during a heated Senate health committee hearing last week that he was stunned when White House officials announced they were investing $10 billion in federal Covid-19 dollars for virus testing and protective measures. equipment, and instead spend the money on antivirals and vaccines. That, he claimed, meant the government was out of money for coronavirus stocks after all — though the White House has made it clear it would fall short of some types of stocks by diverting funds to replenish others.
Government officials have said for months that unless Congress approves new spending, they would not be able to buy more pills and injections in anticipation of a possible fall surge. The White House has asked Congress for $22.5 billion in emergency aid; Mr Romney helped negotiate a $10 billion compromise, which is still not working.
“Washington operates on the basis of a relationship of trust between the respective parties, the government and Congress,” said Mr Romney, “for the government to provide us with information that was patently inaccurate is something that dramatically violates that trust.”
Dawn O’Connell, the assistant health secretary for emergency preparedness and response, testified that the government had to make “major tradeoffs — tradeoffs none of us wanted to make” — in diverting the $10 billion.
She said the money will come in part from the government’s coronavirus testing program, and from the Strategic National Stockpile, the country’s emergency medical reserve, which she said won’t be able to buy domestically-made surgical gowns, and will “struggle.” in order to be able to maintain the current level of protective equipment as a result. Shortages of supplies were a major problem early in the pandemic, when many health workers became infected or died from lack of necessary protective equipment.
Mr Romney’s comment reflected a broader political theme Republicans are likely to bring up during their midterm campaigns: that the administration had wasted Covid-19 aid dollars, an accusation the White House has been trying to refute. Jenn Psaki, the former White House press secretary, brought a 385-page briefing book to the White House press room in April, detailing what money was spent, when, and for what reason.
“We’ve also given Congress full accounts of every dollar spent,” Ms. Psaki said at the time.
Thursday’s hearing was the Senate health committee’s first hearing on its response to the coronavirus since January — a sign that interest in the pandemic on Capitol Hill and across the country is waning. dr. Anthony S. Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser to the pandemic, testified remotely from home, where he is isolating after testing positive for the coronavirus. dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Dr. Robert Califf, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, also testified.
Each of the witnesses pleaded for more money; dr. For example, Walensky said that without a new infusion of funds, the CDC would not be able to continue surveillance studies, including “comprehensive monitoring of post-Covid disease” and studies of new mothers with Covid, and how their disease affects their babies.
Republicans have insisted that any new money is offset by cuts to other programs. North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, the most senior Republican on the health committee, closed the hearing with a mind-boggling assessment, accusing Democrats and the White House of “pressing Republicans to open a checkbook, sign the check.” and the administration the balance sheet with no details of how when or what was requested.”
“I don’t think anyone has worked harder on this matter on the Hill than I have,” Mr. Burr continued. “No one has gone to fight for emergency money more without obligation than I have. But there comes a time when my patience runs out.”
Mr. Romney—the 2012 Republican presidential nominee—sounded more hurt than angry. He said he would not have “worked so hard” over “many weeks and intense negotiations” had he known other money was available.
“We need to be aware of what those tradeoffs are, and have that discussion and help make that decision together,” he told Ms. O’Connell. “You shouldn’t be able to say, ‘Hey, we’re looking at compromises. We’re not going to tell you about it.’ †