America's Global Leadership During Covid-19
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, Americans have a proud history of global leadership, of coalition building, and of pushing the boundaries of technological advancement. These values are now being put to the test as we face the novel coronavirus, an invisible threat that will not be overcome quickly.
There is no successful way through this crisis without a global effort, one in which we build a coalition of our allies, share information, work in tandem with the World Health Organization, and contribute to and benefit from international organizations who are on the frontlines of fighting this deadly disease. It goes without saying that cutting funding to the WHO at this time is not only naive but also presents a threat to the American people down the road as we determine how to safely return to normalcy and avoid a second or third spike.
This is not to suggest we blindly trust other nations--it's been made clear the Chinese Government has misled the world about its cases and, early on, spread misinformation about the virus' transmission. China must be held accountable for its actions but taking a harsh isolationist stance at this current moment, when tens of thousands of Americans are dying, is irresponsible. A global pandemic requires a global solution, and we must act deliberately in convening our international allies and partners to develop a coherent testing strategy and mitigation plan as quickly as possible.
We have talked at length about the economic impact of this crisis. It's important to remember that our economy is a global one, and if we refuse to cooperate with the larger global community, our economy will continue to suffer.
Put plainly, I am urging the Administration and Congress to reach across oceans and re-enter the international conversation about the COVID-19 epidemic. As a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I will be seeking the advice of medical, scientific, and development experts from around the world so that we can create a plan of action that stops the spread of this deadly virus.
We're in this together whether we like it or not. So, we may as well start acting like it
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source