[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 117 (Thursday, June 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3303-S3304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, we are now several months into a global 
pandemic that has caused terrible human and economic suffering.
  Here in the United States alone, more than 2.3 million Americans have 
been infected, and more than 120,000 have died.
  That is more Americans killed in the Korean, Vietnam, Afghanistan, 
and Iraq wars combined and more than those killed in one of our most 
deadly wars, World War I.
  I recently spoke with Melinda Gates about the foundation she and her 
husband Bill established and its efforts regarding the coronavirus 
pandemic.
  Bill warned years ago to prepare for just this kind of pandemic, 
including directly with Donald Trump just before taking office.
  Not surprisingly, their foundation has provided millions to global 
efforts to find a vaccine and treatment for the coronavirus.
  One such event was an EU-hosted virtual conference in May with many 
of our key allies that raised more than $8 billion to be spent over 2 
years to further promising vaccine and treatment efforts.
  The EU and Norway each gave $1 billion; the French, Germans, and 
Brits combined also gave nearly $1 billion; the Canadians pledged $850 
million; the Swiss $400 million, and the Dutch, $200 million. Japan and 
others also made sizeable pledges.
  The Gates Foundation gave $125 million, with Melinda wisely telling 
the gathering, ``This virus doesn't care what nationality you are . . . 
As long as the virus is somewhere, it's everywhere.''
  And what was the contribution of the United States? Nothing.
  The U.S. Government under President Trump didn't participate in this 
shared effort that could help save American lives.
  But that is not all. On this 40th anniversary of the World Health 
Organization's historic achievement to eradicate smallpox, President 
Trump also

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withdrew the United States and suspended U.S. funding from this key 
global health organization.
  That is right, amid a deadly, worldwide pandemic with devastating 
impacts on the American people, President Trump decided this was the 
time to walk away from the body heading a global response.
  I cannot think of more counterproductive, ill-informed, and petty 
decision when it comes to addressing this pandemic.
  Twice in the last 2 months, I came to the floor to ask consent on a 
simple and timely resolution sponsored by nearly half of this Chamber's 
Members.
  It urged increased American participation in these global coronavirus 
vaccine and treatment efforts.
  After all, we don't know where a vaccine or effective treatment may 
ultimately be discovered. With so much medical and scientific 
knowledge, it may be here in the United States. I hope so.
  But why not team up with our allies on joint programs that maximize 
and speed up the chances of success? Do we really want the American 
people left out of such efforts?
  For example, today there are more than 100 coronavirus vaccine 
candidates in development worldwide. The United States launched 
Operation Warp Speed to focus on 14 of them, including promising ones 
like those from Oxford-AstraZeneca and Modern.
  We are proud to have some of the world's best researchers and 
experts--from the NIH and our leading universities to private 
industry--but it is quite plausible the safest and most effective 
vaccine will be developed in Germany, China, or elsewhere.
  But when the United States pursues a go-it-alone approach while the 
rest of the world is working together, where will that leave us?
  Look no further than the worldwide demand and competition we faced 
accessing PPE. The supply chain for vaccine products like glass vials, 
stoppers, and syringes will demand global cooperation.
  Just ask NIH's Drs. Fauci and Collins, who said, ``The ability to 
manufacture hundreds of millions to billions of doses of vaccine 
requires the vaccine-manufacturing capacity of the entire world. ``
   But ultimately it is simple math. Most of the vaccine candidates 
currently in human trials have not originated in the United States, 
joining global efforts makes sense and is the point of my resolution.
  Sadly, the majority objected both times.
  Therefore, I am pleased to announce that this week, the resolution 
has finally passed the full Senate, and I want to thank Senators Lee 
and Risch for working with me on a path forward.
  This final resolution now states the obvious: that the United States 
should work with key partners around the world to find an effective and 
timely coronavirus vaccine and treatment.
  On this historic 40th anniversary of the global cooperative effort 
that eradicated smallpox, I can think of no more timely message from 
the Senate.
  I only wish we had said so sooner.

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