[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H4373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    VACCINES PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES

  (Mr. Cisneros of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the dangerous 
actions of the Health and Human Services Secretary in regard to 
vaccines.
  Vaccines play a critical role in protecting our entire population in 
the United States. They are the most powerful tool we have against 
serious infectious diseases. They help our immune system learn how to 
fight against viruses and prevent disease from spreading to our 
neighbors, communities, and loved ones.
  A 2024 CDC study showed that routine vaccines have prevented over 508 
million cases of illness in children. The impact is immeasurable. That 
is hundreds of millions of children who are saved from having to suffer 
through a miserable illness. On top of that, their family, friends, 
neighbors, classmates, and loved ones are all able to stay guarded from 
these viruses and diseases.
  It is really all thanks to modern medicine, science, research, and 
the proven success of vaccines.
  The United States military administers 17 vaccines to military 
personnel on the basis of occupation, location of their deployment, and 
mission requirements.
  Once common diseases like polio, tetanus, and hepatitis B are now 
almost unheard of, thanks to routine vaccinations.
  Vaccines have become so effective that people have forgotten the 
serious threat that they guard against in our communities, and now, 
they are trying to politicize one of the most revolutionary 
developments of modern medicine.
  Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has been on a mission to 
spread misinformation and fear-mongering to scare parents away from 
getting their kids lifesaving vaccines. Not only that, he is attacking 
the research and medical institutions that advance our health systems. 
He has canceled nearly $500 million in contracts to develop vaccines.
  This blatant disregard for the health of our communities is reckless 
and puts all of us in danger.
  As Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the 
Pentagon, I oversaw public health efforts at the Pentagon during the 
COVID-19 pandemic, which included acquiring and distributing vaccines 
to military personnel.
  In order to maintain the strength of our military, we need people 
equipped for whatever the world throws at them, and that includes 
diseases.

  Operation Warp Speed was a success. Over 95 percent of Active-Duty 
personnel were vaccinated. While no vaccine is perfect, only three 
individuals who took the vaccine while on Active Duty died from COVID-
19 complications.
  Operation Warp Speed was so much of a success that Secretary Esper 
included a binder labeled ``Operation Warp Speed'' in his official 
portrait. It is just too bad that no one can any longer see it hanging 
in the Pentagon.
  I find it ironic that the President who spoke out against the 
distribution of the vaccines for so long is now trying to embrace its 
success.
  Our society has become healthier and more productive because of 
vaccines. Vaccines have become a global investment in a strong public 
system.
  In our modern times, we no longer need to worry about sending our 
kids to school, going to large sporting events or concerts, or even 
traveling, all because of the major reduction in the spread of disease. 
Vaccines are to thank for that.
  There are several consequences to rejecting vaccines and the science 
behind them. Mr. Kennedy's recent comments attacking vaccines are 
destroying decades of work and community trust that has fostered safer 
and healthier communities, trust that is based on good science. It is 
careless and dangerous, but he continues to follow in the footsteps of 
the President and create false narratives to spread fear and distrust.
  This anti-vaccine mission he is on is going to prevent families and 
children from getting the proper healthcare that they need. It is going 
to significantly limit the resources that families have to keep 
themselves healthy and protect themselves against infectious disease.
  It should not be a political issue. This is about the health of our 
people, the health of our Nation.
  Every American should be alarmed about the detrimental impact that 
this will have on our communities across the Nation and globe, which is 
why I am fully committed to keeping our country safe and healthy, 
lowering the cost of healthcare, and making medical resources more 
accessible.
  All Americans deserve access to quality healthcare, including 
critical preventive care like vaccines.
  Secretary Kennedy should be lauded for his campaign to remove dyes 
from food, and I think that is admirable, but removing dyes from drinks 
and foods won't protect kids from the threat of measles, chicken pox, 
polio, or other diseases.
  Vaccines are safe, effective, and our best defense against life-
threatening diseases.
  I urge all Americans to trust our scientists, our doctors, and 
decades of research. Get vaccinated to protect yourself, your families, 
and our communities. We have the power to maintain a healthy society 
and prevent deadly infectious disease.

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