Murray On Pandemic Response: "We Have Come a Long Way, But More Work Lies Ahead

Press Release

Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, held a hearing focused on reviewing the significant progress made in combatting COVID-19, and what more can be done to address systemic inequities, remove barriers preventing people from getting vaccinated, and end the pandemic.

"We have come a long way these last few months. But even as we are encouraged by the progress so far, we are all keenly aware that more work lies ahead," Senator Murray said in her opening remarks. "This pandemic has touched every community in our country, and every corner of the world. To truly end it, vaccines have to be just as widespread."

During her remarks, Senator Murray emphasized the need for action to increase vaccine access for countries that need them, and provide support to places like India, which continue to experience devastating infection and mortality rates. She highlighted that offering aid to global communities is necessary to put an end to the COVID crisis and praised the Biden Administration for sending medical support to India, committing to share excess U.S. doses globally, and considering other steps to remove barriers to vaccines for countries that need them.

"These moves won't just save lives in India--they will ultimately save lives in Washington state, North Carolina, and across our country. Because, people get that when there's a fire down the street, it is in their best interests to put it out before it gets to their family's home--not to mention that helping your neighbor is the right thing to do."

The hearing included testimony from Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health; Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the United States Food and Drug Administration; and Dr. David Kessler, Chief Science Officer of the COVID Response at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

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