[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TERMINATING CDC REQUIREMENT FOR PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR 
                           FOREIGN TRAVELERS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2023

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 185) to 
     terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of 
     COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other 
     purposes:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chair, I rise to provide remarks on H.R. 185, a 
bill House Republicans have brought to the Floor to revoke vaccine 
requirements for global travelers entering the United States. This 
legislation puts American health care at risk, flies in the face of 
settled science surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine and hinders America's 
ability to adapt and respond to emerging variants.
  The decision to revise or revoke our country's public health guidance 
concerning COVID-19 vaccine requirements should rest in the hands of 
our public health experts--not Congress. Since the beginning of the 
pandemic, numerous variants of the virus originating in other countries 
have spread to the United States. The potential for new variants is a 
public health concern that is only elevated with increased travel of 
unvaccinated individuals.
  With this bill, House Republicans have made themselves clear: they 
would prefer to play political games by misleading the American people 
about the efficacy of the vaccine instead of focusing on alleviating 
the stress on our hospitals, health care providers, and public health 
resources.

                          ____________________