Dr. Joyce on Biden Admin?s COVID-19 Relief Process: Bipartisan Challenges Require Bipartisan Solutions
Washington, DC Congressman John Joyce, M.D. this evening completed the second full day of the Energy and Commerce Committee's markup on legislation included in the Biden Administration's COVID-19 relief plan.
"Crushing a pandemic requires team effort. It is disappointing that the Biden-Harris Administration sent a divisive COVID-19 relief plan to Congress without any input from Republicans and it is further disappointing that House Democrats rejected any commonsense amendments to the legislation, from securing pro-life protections to investing in vaccine production, advancing new therapies, and saving family-sustaining jobs" said Dr. Joyce.
"Many of the Democrats' provisions in this so-called relief package including more than $50 million for abortion providers and radical climate proposals will do nothing to get Americans back to work, children back into classrooms, and vaccines into arms. Bipartisan challenges require bipartisan solutions. If the Democrats' objective is unity, then the path forward is clear. I urge President Biden and the Congressional Democrats to restore good faith legislating and to live out their promises to build unity," Dr. Joyce added.
At the committee meeting, Dr. Joyce discussed the challenges that his community in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District has faced during the pandemic from vaccine access to rural broadband and remote learning. These bipartisan challenges require bipartisan solutions.
During the markup, Democrat members of the committee rejected amendments on commonsense issues, including: additional NIH funding, vaccine funding, vaccine allocation transparency, vaccinations for teachers, testing for the workplace, better COVID-19 therapies, COVID-19 Provider Relief funding, suicide prevention, pro-life Hyde Amendment protections, funding for expanded access to reliable broadband, protections for family-sustaining energy jobs in Pennsylvania and around the country, support for American workers, and lower energy bills for American families.
Background:
Yesterday, Dr. Joyce sent another letter to Governor Wolf once again asking him to answer basic questions about the commonwealth's vaccine distribution plan, including his plans to ensure equitable access in rural communities.
Earlier this week, Dr. Joyce and fellow members of the Doctors Caucus sent a letter to President Biden urging him and his administration to prioritize in-person learning as part of their COVID-19 relief plan.
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