IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1125 

Expressing support for prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials 

for therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines for COVID–19. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 

Mr. ENGEL (for himself, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Ms. BARRAGA ́N, Mrs. HAYES, Ms. 

LEE of California, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Ms. NORTON, Mr. 

PAYNE, Mr. SIRES, Mr. TRONE, Mr. COHEN, Mr. BERA, Mr. NADLER, 

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama, Mr. CISNEROS, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MEEKS, 

Mr. SAN NICOLAS, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, and Ms. JACKSON LEE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity 

in clinical trials for therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines 

for COVID–19. 

Whereas the novel coronavirus (SARS–CoV–2) causes 

COVID–19 and has claimed over 183,000 American lives 

as of September 1, 2020, according to the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention; 

Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color; 

Whereas African Americans are nearly twice as likely to die 

from COVID–19 than White Americans; 


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•HRES 1125 IH 

Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives are more than 

five times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID–19 

than White Americans; 

Whereas African Americans and Hispanic or Latino Americans are more than four and one-half times as likely to 

be hospitalized for COVID–19 than White Americans; 

Whereas Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are 10 

times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID–19 than 

White Americans; 

Whereas racial and ethnic communities have historically been 

underrepresented in clinical trials, and factors cited as 

explaining this underrepresentation include social and financial barriers as well as mistrust in research participation stemming from historical discriminatory and abusive 

practices; and 

Whereas surveys show skepticism among communities of 

color about the safety of a potential COVID–19 vaccine 

despite vaccination rates that are typically as high as 

those of other communities: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that Federal agencies should— 

3 (1) take appropriate actions to ensure meaning4 ful engagement of communities of color in the con5 duct of COVID–19 research and participation in 

6 clinical trials for COVID–19 diagnostics, therapies, 

7 and vaccines; 

8 (2) take steps to codevelop with communities of 

9 color strategies that address and resolve financial 

10 and social barriers that may prevent the participaVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:35 Sep 19, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1125.IH HR1125

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1 tion of racial and ethnic communities in clinical 

2 trials; and 

3 (3) partner with community groups, faith-based 

4 organizations, and health care facilities to conduct 

5 outreach to communities of color and improve equi6 table access to safe and effective COVID–19 vac7 cines that are licensed by the Food and Drug Ad8 ministration. 

Æ 


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