Sens. Marshall and Gillibrand Join MSNBC’s Morning Joe to Discuss COVID Commission

(Washington, D.C., December 1, 2021) – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss their bipartisan 9/11 Style COVID Commission which they are working on alongside Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA). The COVID Commission will investigate the COVID-19 outbreak and identify lessons learned regarding U.S. preparedness, response and recovery to improve our ability to respond to future outbreaks. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch the interview in its entirety.

Background:

The bill is also endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

The National Commission on the COVID–19 Pandemic would conduct an investigation on the COVID-19 outbreak and identify lessons learned regarding preparedness, response and recovery. The structure and authorities of the Commission are modeled on the 9/11 Commission.

The investigation will address:

(A)     U.S. government response to the COVID-19 pandemic,
(B)     the effectiveness of COVID-19 public health messaging,
(C)     international cooperation in responding to and investigating COVID-19,
(D)     the availability of medical supplies and personal protective equipment,
(E)      the federal government’s role in the development, testing, production, and distribution of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines,
(F)      the preparedness and capacity of the U.S. health care system,
(G)     language variations regarding novel diseases and how that relates to stigma, discrimination, and harassment for certain communities,
(H)     the origins of COVID-19, and
(I)        any other subject the Commission determines relevant in developing recommendations to prepare for future pandemics. 

Composition: The Commission will be composed of 10 members (5 members appointed from each political party).

Reporting: The Commission will submit to the President and Congress, and make publicly available, an interim report not later than 1 year after the date of the bill’s enactment and a final report not later than 20 months after the initial meeting of the Commission.

Powers: The Commission has authority to hold hearings, take testimony, administer oaths, and issue subpoenas.

Declassification of Evidence: This bill also commences a declassification review of information related to the origin of COVID–19 that the Commission requires.

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