International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2297
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2021-06-24 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Africa
Asia
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Caribbean area
Child health
Child safety and welfare
China
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Cuba
Department of State
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Disability and health-based discrimination
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Europe
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign labor
HIV/AIDS
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Human rights
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intellectual property
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Latin America
Manufacturing
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Multilateral development programs
News media and reporting
Political parties and affiliation
Protest and dissent
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Sex offenses
Small business
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
United Nations
Violent crime
Visas and passports
Women's health
Women's rights
Worker safety and health
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: 

International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act of 2021

 
This bill outlines U.S. foreign policy to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to future pandemics and disasters.
 
With respect to COVID-19, the Department of State must develop a strategy to expand and expedite access to COVID-19 vaccines in other countries. The bill also allows for the use of any foreign assistance for activities to combat COVID-19, regardless of the original purpose of the funding. Additionally, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development must protect and support humanitarian actors responding to secondary effects of the pandemic (e.g., food insecurity).
 
Furthermore, the State Department must report on, and take other steps to address, restrictions and violations of human rights in the COVID-19 response measures of other countries, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media must focus its communication programs on combating propaganda and providing accurate information related to COVID-19.
 
With respect to future pandemics and disasters, the bill (1) designates agencies responsible for carrying out preparedness and response activities, and (2) authorizes a committee within the National Security Council to coordinate government-wide response efforts. Additionally, the President must establish a strategy for advancing U.S. global health security; the bill creates a position in the State Department to promote this strategy.
 
Moreover, the State Department must work with other international actors to establish a financing mechanism and otherwise promote global health security, including by strengthening health systems and disease surveillance in developing countries.

action_date: 2021-07-30
text: 

International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act of 2021

 
This bill outlines U.S. foreign policy to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to future pandemics and disasters.
 
With respect to COVID-19, the Department of State must develop a strategy to expand and expedite access to COVID-19 vaccines in other countries. The bill also allows for the use of any foreign assistance for activities to combat COVID-19, regardless of the original purpose of the funding. Additionally, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development must protect and support humanitarian actors responding to secondary effects of the pandemic (e.g., food insecurity).
 
Furthermore, the State Department must report on, and take other steps to address, restrictions and violations of human rights in the COVID-19 response measures of other countries, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media must focus its communication programs on combating propaganda and providing accurate information related to COVID-19.
 
With respect to future pandemics and disasters, the bill (1) designates agencies responsible for carrying out preparedness and response activities, and (2) authorizes a committee within the National Security Council to coordinate government-wide response efforts. Additionally, the President must establish a strategy for advancing U.S. global health security; the bill creates a position in the State Department to promote this strategy.
 
Moreover, the State Department must work with other international actors to establish a financing mechanism and otherwise promote global health security, including by strengthening health systems and disease surveillance in developing countries.
 
Additionally, funding authorized by this bill may not be made available to China.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 112.
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Introduced in Senate