[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 112 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3185-H3187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 URGING THE ADMINISTRATION TO FACILITATE ASSISTANCE IN RESPONSE TO THE 
                DEVASTATING IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN INDIA

  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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 402, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  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-

[[Page H3186]]

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.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to thank my colleagues Congressman Sherman 
and Congressman Chabot for introducing this legislation.
  COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the world, but some 
countries have been hit harder than others.
  In March of this year, just as Americans were receiving COVID-19 
vaccines and the United States was seeing a decline in cases, 
infections in India began to surge. A year before, in the spring of 
2020, when the United States was experiencing a spike in COVID-19 
cases, India came to our aid and lifted its export ban on certain drugs 
in response to a request by the United States.
  In response to India's surge, the United States quickly delivered 
much-needed supplies, such as PPE, rapid tests, and other drugs to 
India. This action from the United States, the world's oldest 
democracy, to India, the world's largest democracy, is only fitting. 
India and the United States are natural partners and COVID-19 has only 
proven our ties are growing stronger.
  This resolution further shows that the House stands with the people 
of India as they work to stem the spread of COVID-19 throughout India.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  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.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for yielding. I want 
to thank my colleague and co-chair of the House Congressional Caucus on 
India and Indian-Americans, Mr. Chabot, for joining with me in 
introducing this resolution.
  Mr. Chabot and I introduced this resolution recognizing the 
devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on India and expressing the 
sense of the House of Representatives about the need to provide the 
maximum possible assistance to India.
  The House has a long, bipartisan record of supporting and 
strengthening the relationship between the United States, the world's 
oldest democracy, and India, the world's largest democracy.
  I also want to thank Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul for 
working with us on this important resolution, and thank my colleagues 
on the Foreign Affairs Committee for passing this resolution 
unanimously.
  The COVID-19 outbreak in India requires a global response. We know 
that the COVID epidemic is not limited by international borders, and 
the pandemic will not end anywhere until it ends everywhere, as the 
chairman pointed out.
  This is particularly true with regard to variants and we are aware of 
the delta variant that is now spreading.

                              {time}  1645

  Until we can vaccinate the world, there will be millions, billions of 
opportunities for this virus to infect; where it infects, it 
replicates; where it replicates, it mutates and poses the risk of 
developing a strain that, unlike the strains we have dealt with so far, 
evades the vaccines that we have developed.
  We have been working in a bipartisan manner to address the 
devastating effects of this second COVID-19 wave in India. Official 
testing results indicate that India has seen more than 340,000 daily 
infections and over 4,000 daily deaths. But many public health 
officials believe these numbers understate the matter, and that perhaps 
upwards of 2 million people a day have been infected in India.
  Of course, we have seen a slight abatement in those horrific numbers, 
but the problem remains.
  I want to thank the Biden administration and commend them for 
organizing so many parts of the U.S. Government, the CDC, HHS, USAID, 
the State Department, in getting materials to India that will help 
vaccine production, provide rapid COVID testing and, most importantly, 
oxygen support, particularly, oxygen concentrators and, of course, PPE 
to help save lives.
  This resolution is part of the ongoing effort of the India Caucus to 
help India at this time of need. Earlier this year, we sent a 
bipartisan request to the President requesting that we increase our 
assistance to India in battling COVID-19, particularly focusing on the 
raw materials necessary to manufacture vaccines and oxygen 
concentration equipment.
  By early May, the United States had provided over $100 million worth 
of medical supplies, including that oxygen support, and PPE, rapid 
diagnostic tests, and therapeutics.
  USAID also facilitated the delivery of 440 oxygen cylinders and 
concentrators to India, generously donated by the State of California.
  We should recognize the substantial support of the American public. 
In response to India's crisis, the Indian-American community has 
contributed significantly to the effort; individuals, along with the 
private sector, continue to do so.
  Indian-American companies, such as Prime Healthcare, are working to 
assist efforts, not only to deliver necessary medical supplies, but 
also ensure that they reach the people most in need. And the U.S.-India 
Business Council has worked to coordinate a coalition of corporations, 
nonprofits, and individuals to deliver thousands of ventilators and 
oxygen concentrators to India.
  This resolution stands with the people of India as they collectively 
work to stem the spread of COVID-19, urges the administration to 
facilitate private and in-kind medical supply donations, and urges the 
delivery of urgently needed supplies to India.
  This resolution recognizes the importance of work by the U.S. 
Government and of Indian Americans in the private sector.
  There is no doubt that the U.S.-India relationship is growing closer, 
and that our assistance to India, to help overcome this terrible COVID 
wave, is a critical part of building that relationship.
  Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  In closing, I would like to, once again, thank Representative Sherman 
and Representative Chabot for their work on this resolution.
  It has been said before, but I will say it again, COVID-19 has shown 
that pandemics know no borders. Allies must come together and support 
one another during these difficult times. And we must work with India 
and the international community to end the spread of COVID-19 and 
prevent future pandemics.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution, H. Res. 
402, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  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

[[Page H3187]]

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.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
402, which Congressman Brad Sherman and I introduced to call attention 
to India's COVID-19 second wave and press for needed assistance.
  India's second wave has been a truly overwhelming challenge. As Co-
Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans, I found the 
images in the press, the stories about the lack of oxygen, and the 
sheer scale of the crisis to be truly daunting. And the suffering is 
being felt not only in India but also right here at home by many of our 
constituents in the Indian American community, who have family members 
in India that are impacted by this deadly upswing in the pandemic.
  While case rates in India continue to drop, passage of this 
resolution today shows that Congress and the American people are 
committed to helping India finish the battle against the second wave 
and prepare to win the war against COVID-19 altogether. Early in the 
pandemic, India helped us; it is our turn to offer a helping hand. We 
must continue to employ all effective measures to help them through 
this trying time.
  The crisis in India is a potent reminder of the toll of this pandemic 
and of the importance of preparing ourselves and the world so that the 
next disease does not cause the damage we have seen as a result of 
COVID-19.
  So I would urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
402, ``Urging the administration to facilitate assistance in response 
to the devastating impacts of COVID-19 in India,'' which advocates for 
direct aid to India as it continues to battle the devastating effects 
of COVID-19.
  I thank my colleague, Congressman Sherman of California, for 
authoring this important legislation that will save the lives of many 
in India.
  Testing results reveal that India is experiencing more than 340,000 
new daily infections and more than 4,000 deaths a day, and many public 
health experts believe case rates are likely higher.
  India has the biggest global vaccine manufacturing capacity and was a 
major exporter of the vaccine.
  More than 70 low-income nations received vaccines made in India, with 
a total of more than 60 million doses leaving India.
  Prior to its surge in COVID-19 cases, it exported tens of millions of 
doses before its own demand skyrocketed and led to a shortage in some 
states.
  Given India's critical role in global vaccine supply chains, an 
increase in vaccine demand due to the surge of COVID-19 cases within 
India is of a global concern.
  With more than 600 thousand deaths from COVID-19, we in the United 
States are no strangers to the devastating consequences of the 
pandemic.
  Since the onset of the pandemic, Texas has seen a devastating 52,458 
deaths due to COVID-19, 6,575 of those deaths occurred in Harris 
Country, portions of which are in my congressional district.
  India responded to the spike in COVID-19 cases here in the United 
States by lifting its export ban on certain therapeutics.
  With the help of widespread vaccination, the United States was then 
able to reduce the number of COVID-19 deaths to 4 percent of our peak 
today.
  The Indian people, who have been instrumental in vaccine production 
worldwide, deserve the same relief.
  In New Delhi alone, one individual dies of COVID-19 every 4 minutes.
  Since COVID-19 vaccine distribution began in the United States on 
December 14, 2020, more than 323 million doses have been administered, 
fully vaccinating over 153 million people, that's 46.1 percent of the 
total U.S. population.
  Now that the United States vaccine supply is secured, I encourage our 
government to show its support for India by passing this resolution.
  This resolution calls on the Indian American community to continue 
their efforts to help quell the spread of the virus in India, they need 
the support of the United States government.
  Texas is home to the second-largest Indian American community in the 
United States.
  At least 82,575 of these individuals live in my district, located in 
the West of Houston.
  Thus, it is in the interest of Harris County, of Texas, interest, and 
of the United States more broadly to aid India in stemming the spread 
of this virus.
  I worked hard to halt the spread of COVID-19 in my own district, 
partnering with Houston hospitals, local public health agencies, local 
businesses, and international corporations to stop the spread of the 
virus in local communities.
  But the pandemic will not end anywhere until it has ended everywhere, 
and as a global travel hub, the United States is particularly 
vulnerable to the continued spread.
  As I work on legislation to aid and support communities in dire need 
across the globe, I support passage of this resolution today and ask 
that my colleagues do the same.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 402, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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