House of Representatives votes to end COVID public health IMMEDIATELY: Republicans win support from seven Democrats as they ignore Biden administration objections
- The Republican legislature passed legislation to end the COVID public health emergency
- Another law was passed to stop vaccinations being compulsory for healthcare workers
- Seven Democrats supported the healthcare worker bill
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to end the COVID-19 public health emergency immediately and, with the help of Democrats, end vaccinations for healthcare workers.
Republican lawmakers on Tuesday pushed for The Pandemic is Over Act bill, which passed in a party-line vote by a 220-210 vote. A second bill, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, also passed with the votes of seven Democrats.
The bill is now being heard in the Senate and, if passed, would eliminate the public health emergency that has existed since 2020.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden announced Monday that the national emergency will end on May 11 after being extended on January 11.
Republican lawmakers passed legislation ending the COVID public health emergency, though Joe Biden said it will end in May
Republican lawmakers pushed for The Pandemic is Over Act bill Tuesday, which passed in a party-line vote by a 220-210 vote
Lawmakers opposed to ending the pandemic public health emergency have argued that “ending the COVID-19 public health emergency virtually overnight” is irresponsible.
According to Fox News, Rep. Frank Pallone stood behind the opposition’s argument, while other Democratic lawmakers shared the same perspective.
It’s unclear which Democratic leaders supported the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act.
Despite efforts to end vaccination requirements for healthcare workers, that will likely never come to fruition at this time – as the White House has previously threatened to veto the law if it passes.
“While COVID-19 is no longer the devastating threat it once was, it makes no sense for Congress to undo those protections for vulnerable patients, as well as for our healthcare workers who have done so much to protect us do,” said a spokesman for The White House said, according to Fox News.
The White House added that ending the pandemic public health emergency could also result in millions losing health insurance and states losing billions in funding.
A second bill, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, also passed with the votes of seven Democrats
Earlier this month, the Biden administration extended the Covid-19 public health emergency declaration, despite the president claiming the pandemic is “over.”
A lengthy statement from Health and Welfare Secretary Xavier Becerra makes it clear that the federal government believes the emergency is still “standing”.
Controversially, Biden told CBS News’ 60 Minutes in September, “The pandemic is over.”
“We still have a problem with Covid. We’re still working a lot on it,” the president said at the time.
“But the pandemic is over. When you notice that nobody is wearing masks. Everyone seems to be in pretty good shape. And that’s why I think it’s changing.”
Earlier this month, the Biden administration extended the Covid-19 public health emergency declaration, despite the president claiming the pandemic is “over.”
Earlier this month Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the military would no longer require troops to have Covid-19 vaccinations, even though more than 6,000 military personnel had already been fired for refusing to be shot on religious or other grounds.
He added that he still recommends soldiers get vaccinated, noting that commanding officers are free to deploy troops based on vaccination status.
Austin’s decision came under a provision included in this year’s defense budget bill.