{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act of 2021","description":"

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.","legislationIdentifier":"S 2297","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"James E. Risch","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/jamese-risch-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Affairs"},"keywords":"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 agency funding and structure, Executive Office of the President, Federal officials, Foreign aid and international relief, Foreign labor, 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, HIV/AIDS, 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, United Nations, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Violent crime, Visas and passports, Women's health, Women's rights, Worker safety and health, World health","dateModified":"2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-117-S-2297"}

James E. Risch

James E. Risch

Foreign Relations Committee