[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RESTORING NORMALCY IN AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Estes) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Restoring 
Normalcy in America Act.
  In a little over a week, we will be 3 years past the first recorded 
case of COVID-19 in the United States, and over 2 years since the 
COVID-19 vaccine has been available, thanks to the rapid development 
under Operation Warp Speed.
  Despite the time elapsed, President Biden and his administration 
continue to prolong the pandemic--promoting policies that are 
destroying our economy, burdening small businesses, and hurting Kansas 
families.
  Just yesterday, the NFIB announced that their Small Business Optimism 
Index declined 2.1 points in December, making it the 12th consecutive 
month below their 49-year average.
  The December jobs report was the worst of 2022 and the worst during 
the entirety of the Biden administration so far. With out-of-control 
spending in the name of COVID relief, rampant inflation has made real 
average hourly earnings fall 1.9 percent since last year, the 20th 
month in a row that inflation has outpaced wage growth following the 
implementation of the so-called American Rescue Plan in March of 2021.

  While Washington was under total Democrat control, President Biden 
increased Federal spending, continued lockdown procedures for far past 
their effectiveness, and held the country hostage until his self-chosen 
vaccination rates were reached. Receiving the vaccine is a choice, a 
choice made with careful consideration between a person and their 
doctor; not an action that can be forced by the Federal Government.
  When the Biden administration failed to achieve their vaccination 
goals, they forced through unconstitutional vaccine mandates. We are 
currently experiencing near historic lows of COVID hospitalizations and 
41 States have ended their states of emergency.
  Yet, the Biden administration has decided to extend the COVID-19 
public health emergency--despite in September President Biden stating 
that the pandemic is over. The continuation of the public health 
emergency significantly strains State and Federal budgets when we are 
already combating inflation and rising prices.
  These actions by President Biden and the administration have hurt the 
American people and stunted our recovery. It is long past due that 
Washington is accountable for persistent pandemic restrictions placed 
on the Kansans I represent.
  The legislation I am introducing today holds the Federal Government 
responsible and is a step toward restoring normalcy through five 
objectives of research, accountability, process, access, and 
restoration.
  The American people deserve answers from the Federal Government on 
the effectiveness of the forced Biden administration COVID-19 policies. 
My bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct 
research on the effectiveness of vaccines and current treatments, the 
rate of transmission of COVID throughout the public health emergency, 
and more importantly, an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.
  We also need accountability. Over the past several years, trillions 
have been allocated to combat COVID-19. To ensure that taxpayer dollars 
are not being wasted, my legislation would audit the Federal agencies 
that received COVID-19 funds, and whatever finances can be recouped 
should be returned to Treasury.
  Returning to our standard processes is also critical. In the early 
stages of the pandemic, using the Emergency Use Authorization, the EUA, 
was necessary to develop vaccines and treatments. Now, with years of 
information and time, we should return to the normal approval process.
  This bill ends the use of EUAs for COVID vaccines and treatments and 
requires any vaccines or treatments without full FDA approval to go 
through the process like any other medication or vaccination.
  The choice to be vaccinated is personal, and whether it be for 
religious or medical reasons, vaccination status should not be the 
cause for discrimination and access.
  My bill strengthens personal freedoms by preventing businesses from 
prohibiting entry or refusing service based solely on COVID vaccination 
status.
  Lastly, my legislation reverses the damage done by President Biden's 
destructive, unconstitutional vaccine mandates and brings restoration 
to the individuals harmed. Any servicemember or Federal employee fired 
or discharged due to failure to comply to Biden's vaccine mandate will 
be reinstated with their record expunged of this incident.
  The Restoring Normalcy in America Act provides the American people 
with answers and accountability for how this administration has 
prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic and works to reverse some of the 
damaging policies that have been put in place.

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