Letter to Shalanda Young, OMB Acting Director - Outline Plans to Meet Global Vaccination Goal

Letter

Dear Acting Director Young:

We write concerning President Biden's goal of vaccinating at least 70 percent of the world's population
against COVID-19 by September 2022 and ending the global pandemic, a goal that we share. In support
of it, Congress has authorized and appropriated an unprecedented amount of funding for vaccine
manufacturing, production, and distribution, and for other medical supplies. To help us better understand
how this funding is being distributed and spent, we respectfully request answers to the following
questions by November 5, 2021.

Funding Appropriated Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and Other
Announced Spending

1. For the purposes of combating the COVID-19 pandemic globally, Sections 2403 and 10003(a) of
ARPA appropriated:
○ $3.09 billion and $905 million for the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID);
○ $750 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and
○ $250 million for the Department of State, in addition to $3.5 billion allocated for the
Global Fund.
Of these funds, how much has been allocated and expended to date, and for what purposes, and
how much remains available?

2. Sections 2303 and 3101 of ARPA together appropriated $16.05 billion for medical supply chain
investments, including vaccine development and production, and ancillary medical products and
supplies related to COVID-19.2 How much of this funding has been allocated and expended to
date, and for what purposes, and how much remains available?
○ While still accounting for domestic needs for ancillary medical supplies and therapeutics,
has the Administration considered using remaining available funds to support efforts to
expand international vaccination efforts?

3. Earlier this year, Politico reported that USAID had incurred a $1.5 billion shortfall in its budget.
According to that report, the Administration used funds that were intended to help strengthen
countries' ability to store, transport, and administer COVID-19 vaccines to purchase 500 million
doses of the Pfizer vaccine.3 While we commend the acquisition of the vaccines, according to the
Politico report, this budgetary shortfall would hinder USAID's efforts to help countries get shots
in arms.
○ Did OMB consider using alternative sources of funds -- such as the $16 billion in ARPA
funds cited in Question 2 -- or requesting supplemental funding from Congress? If so,
why didn't OMB use alternative funds or request additional funds? If not, why not?
○ What is OMB doing to remedy USAID's funding shortfall?

4. In September 2021, the White House announced it would invest $2.7 billion in producing various
vaccine components.4 How did the Administration identify this particular need for federal
investment, and from which account will the spending be drawn?

Spending Commitments Made at the Global COVID-19 Summit

5. At the Global COVID-19 Summit on September 22, 2021, President Biden announced that
USAID and the CDC would provide an additional $370 million toward global vaccination
efforts. What is the source of these funds?

6. At the COVID-19 Summit, the White House set a goal of "ensuring at least $3 billion is made
available in 2021 and $7 billion in 2022 in financing for vaccine readiness and administration,
combatting hesitancy, and procuring ancillary supplies." How do these commitments relate to
the already-appropriated funding for the global COVID-19 response? How much of this funding
is the United States expected to provide?

7. What additional financial resources are needed from Congress to meet President Biden's stated
goal of vaccinating 70% of the world's population by September 2022?

Funding for COVAX

8. We are grateful that the Administration has provided $2.5 billion to COVAX this year and
pledged a total donation of $4 billion by the end of 2022.7 Has the Administration been in
contact with COVAX regarding additional funding needs, including for the remainder of this
year and in 2022? Is the Administration capable of meeting additional urgent COVAX funding
needs if requested?

We appreciate OMB's efforts to help fulfill President Biden's global vaccination goal, and look forward
to working with you to achieve it. We thank you for your prompt attention to our questions