Urging the Administration to Facilitate Assistance in Response to the Devastating Impact of Covid-19 in India
Floor Speech
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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the resolution (H. Res. 402) urging the Administration to facilitate assistance in response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 in India, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 402
Whereas in March 2021, a second wave of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (commonly referred to as ``COVID-19'') infectious began to surge in India, overwhelming health care workers, hospitals, and crematoriums throughout the country;
Whereas testing results indicate India is seeing more than 340,000 new daily infections and upward of 4,000 deaths a day, though public health experts believe case rates are higher;
Whereas cases have surged in neighboring countries such as Nepal and other countries in the area remain highly vulnerable to renewed spikes in cases;
Whereas the deadly COVID-19 outbreak in India is a global problem that requires a coordinated global response;
Whereas in the spring of 2020, when the United States was in the midst of a devastating spike in COVID-19 cases, India lifted its export ban on certain therapeutics in response to a request by the United States Government;
Whereas India's pharmaceutical industry is a vital part of the global solution to the pandemic, especially for much of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and is the world's biggest producer of COVID vaccines having exported 66.36 million doses to 93 countries, including to United Nations personnel and, accounting for over half of global vaccine manufacturing;
Whereas due to India's critical importance in global vaccine supply chains, an increase in domestic vaccine demand as a result of the surge of COVID-19 cases within India is of global concern;
Whereas in response to the crisis in India, the Biden administration took quick action to deliver urgently needed supplies to India, including oxygen support, oxygen concentrators, personal protective equipment (PPE), raw materials for vaccine, rapid diagnostic tests, and therapeutics, and is a testament to the historic record of United States-India health cooperation dating more than seven decades;
Whereas the United States private sector has worked to generously support relief efforts in India including by working to deliver 1,000 ventilators and 25,000 oxygen concentrators to health care facilities across India;
Whereas many countries around the world have also sent medical assistance to India to help the country defeat this devastating wave of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas as the United States vaccine supply for the American people is secured, it is important for the United States to continue to ramp up its efforts, working with the private sector and all possible partners, to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution worldwide; and
Whereas United States support for India to help beat back this latest coronavirus wave is in the United States national interest as the pandemic will not end anywhere until it ends everywhere: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) urges the Administration to facilitate private, in-kind medical supply donations to India and deliver additional, urgently needed medical supplies, including oxygen generator plants and a cryogenic oxygen tanker and containers;
(2) urges the Administration to facilitate assistance as needed to neighboring countries, including Nepal, that are facing the spread of COVID-19 and working with partners around the world to address the virus; and
(3) calls on the United States private sector and the Indian-American community to continue their unprecedented and generous efforts at procuring medical supplies for the Indian response during this time of need, building upon contributions to date, standing with the people of India as they collectively work to stem the spread of COVID-19.
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Mr. MEEKS. Res. 402, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 402, urging the administration to facilitate assistance in response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 in India.
This resolution, introduced by my good friend Representative Sherman, is an excellent measure that solidifies this body's already strong, bipartisan support for the people of India as they recover from this most recent wave of COVID-19 infections.
It urges the administration to continue facilitating much-needed assistance. We are all saddened by the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on the Indian people. Beginning in March 2021, India started to experience a surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Indians from all backgrounds, young and old, urban and rural have been touched by this pandemic.
With infections rising at an alarming rate, the healthcare system struggled to provide care to all of those infected, and medical supply shortages were reported across the country.
Harrowing images depicted the devastation that COVID-19 caused, from family members looking for hospital beds and medical supplies, to funeral pyres burning nonstop, 24 hours a day, to ensure the last rites of the many people who have passed.
I am pleased with the Biden administration's swift response, sending much- needed medical supplies to India. It was not just the American Government that contributed. We witnessed many in the Indian-American community and the United States private sector rally support to get critical supplies to India.
We now see COVID-19 cases starting to come down, but we cannot let our guard down. We must do more to prepare for a potential new wave of infections. It is important to recognize that none of us will be safe until all of us are safe.
The pandemic continues to highlight the important role of India in combating this disease globally. Its role in the global medical manufacturing supply chain is critical to defeating this pandemic. The global community relies on Indian pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing capability. What happens in India also has spillover effects in neighboring countries like Nepal.
Again, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) for putting forth this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of it and stand in solidarity with the people of India.
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Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), a very valued member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, my good friend.
Again, I want to thank Mr. Sherman and Mr. Chabot for showing how this committee has worked in a bipartisan manner for the benefit of our friends and allies and, in this case, India.
By passing this good, bipartisan resolution, the House will send a clear message that we stand with the people of India as they work to contain the spread of COVID-19. We recognize that India will continue to play an important role in containing the further global spread of COVID-19, and support global efforts to end this pandemic.
We also urge the administration to continue working with the Indian Government. Just yesterday, I was at the Indian consulate in New York, where I had an opportunity to talk to the consul general, who was very appreciative knowing that this bill would be on the House floor today; who told me to extend thank-yous to both Mr. Sherman and Mr. Chabot; that it further shows American leadership and friendship with the people of India; and that we would only grow closer together to benefit not just our respective countries, but the rest of the world.
This moves and helps the people in India. So I would like to conclude by just thanking everyone, once again, for working together in a bipartisan way to do the right thing for our friends from the country of India.
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