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Today, House Education and Labor Committee Republican Leader Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and House Oversight Committee Republican Leader James Comer (R-KY), released the following statement on the introduction of the Pandemic Preparedness, Response and Rapid Recovery Act.

“COVID-19 has laid siege to the United States and has uncovered a litany of burdensome regulations that only exacerbate the problems that we face on multiple fronts. At such a pivotal moment for our country, it’s imperative that we identify areas where we can cut bureaucratic red tape that hampers the recovery from the health and economic effects of COVID-19 and future pandemics,” said Representative Foxx. “I’m proud to have introduced this critical legislation that would create a commission to review the regulatory obstacles to preparedness for, response to, and rapid recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic and future pandemics.”

“At a time when businesses are working to reopen and our economy is in need of a boost, it is critical that we remove regulatory barriers to a recovery,” said Representative Comer. “Government spending cannot be the only solution to this crisis – especially as the national debt races past $26 trillion. Congress must put partisanship aside and act boldly to reform government regulations in a way that empowers business growth and a return to a healthy workforce.”

BACKGROUND: The Pandemic Preparedness, Response and Rapid Recovery Act  establishes a fast moving, BRAC-style commission to help Congress quickly identify and repeal regulations that have stood in the way, or stand in the way, of preparedness for, response to, or rapid recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic or a future pandemic – while still preserving necessary protections.