|
119th CONGRESS
2d Session |
To require continued participation by the United States in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.
Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Hickenlooper, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Coons, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To require continued participation by the United States in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Epidemic Barrier and Outbreak Leadership Act” or the “EBOLA Act”.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics pose significant threats to the national security, public health, and economic well-being of the United States.
(2) The 2026 Ebola Disease outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa has rapidly spread across international borders and resulted in more than 1,000 cases of the disease.
(3) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s model scenarios, without a strong public health intervention, the current outbreak could become larger than the outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 in which more than 11,000 people died.
(4) Despite the need for continued reforms, the World Health Organization serves as the principal international body for disease surveillance, outbreak response coordination, and public health information sharing.
(5) Participation in the World Health Organization enhances the ability of the United States to monitor emerging infectious diseases, coordinate with international partners, and protect the health of the American people.
(6) On January 20, 2025, President Trump initiated the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization through Executive Order 14155 (90 Fed. Reg. 8361), which was completed on January 22, 2026.
(7) In previous public health emergencies of international concern, the United States has consistently communicated with representatives of the World Health Organization, other multilateral health agencies, and the governments of other countries to ensure United States global health funding was targeted, coordinated, and efficient.
SEC. 3. Participation in the World Health Organization.
The President, in coordination with the Secretary of State, shall—
(1) take all necessary steps for the United States to rejoin the World Health Organization not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) immediately collaborate with the World Health Organization to respond to the Ebola Disease outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa.
SEC. 4. Authorization of appropriations.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, including—
(1) paying assessed contributions and any other financial obligations to restore United States membership in the World Health Organization; and
(2) supporting the response effort of the World Health Organization and other United Nations entities to the Ebola Disease epidemic in Central and Eastern Africa, including through voluntary contributions and programmatic support, in order to prevent global transmission of the virus, including transmission to the people and territory of the United States.