Schneider, Katko Advocate for COVID PREPARE Act

July 22, 2020 by Dan McCue
Schneider, Katko Advocate for COVID PREPARE Act

WASHINGTON – Reps. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., and John Katko, R-N.Y., introduced bipartisan legislation to require federal executive branch agencies to report to Congress on their planning to address a potential resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak.

Under the provisions of the COVID Preparedness, Response, and Effective Planning for Advanced Requirements by the Executive Branch (PREPARE) Act, the agencies would need to report on anticipated challenges, measurable goals for dealing with any resurgence that occurs, and how they expect to keep Congress informed throughout a renewed crisis.

“As the COVID pandemic continues to wreak havoc on American communities and take thousands of American lives, we need to be prepared that things might get even worse come fall,” Schneider said in a written statement.

“COVID PREPARE Act will provide bipartisan oversight and full transparency into both the planning and execution of our national response,” he said.

Katko said that with the recent proliferation of media reports that COVID-19 infections are spiking in several states, his constituents in central New York States are growing concerned about a potential second wave of the virus in communities that were hard hit the first time. 

“With our community still confronting the devastating impacts of COVID-19, we cannot in good faith move forward without learning from the missteps made by those overseeing the response effort,” Katko said.

“Central New Yorkers deserve assurance that the administration and Federal Government are fully prepared to prevent and respond to any widespread increases in COVID-19 cases,” he said, adding,While I remain focused on delivering relief to those impacted by the pandemic, I believe equally critical is our preparation and preparedness to effectively combat a resurgence of cases.”

According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, as of Wednesday morning, more than 3,900,000 people in the United States have been infected with the coronavirus, and at least 142,000 have died.

Since July 1, a total 41 states have seen a resurgence in their coronavirus numbers.

In light of these numbers, Schneider said, “We all certainly hope for the best, but we must responsibly prepare for the worst.” 

The full text of the bill can be found here.

A+
a-
  • Brad Schneider
  • COVID PREPARE ACT
  • emergency preparedness
  • John Katko
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Congress

    July 16, 2025
    by Alexa Citrin
    Bipartisan Immigration Reform Act Introduced to Congress

    WASHINGTON — A revised version of the Dignity Act, a bill aimed at immigration reform, was introduced Tuesday by Reps.... Read More

    WASHINGTON — A revised version of the Dignity Act, a bill aimed at immigration reform, was introduced Tuesday by Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, along with a bipartisan group of House lawmakers. The Dignity Act, first proposed in 2023, aims to address... Read More

    July 16, 2025
    by Tom Ramstack
    Congress Told That Artificial Intelligence Is Making Criminals More Sophisticated

    WASHINGTON — Computer industry experts warned Congress Wednesday about a troubling surge in crime committed with artificial intelligence. Criminals are... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Computer industry experts warned Congress Wednesday about a troubling surge in crime committed with artificial intelligence. Criminals are exploiting the technology for sophisticated cyberattacks that can include fraud, identity theft and extortion using deepfake pornography, they said. “The future of crime will be defined... Read More

    July 11, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    New Dems Roundtable Focuses on ‘Big Bill’s’ Impact on Clean Energy

    WASHINGTON — Members of the New Democrat Coalition traveled to Garner, North Carolina, on Friday to speak with voters about... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Members of the New Democrat Coalition traveled to Garner, North Carolina, on Friday to speak with voters about why they believe the sweeping domestic policy package their Republican colleagues passed last week will stymie the growth of a new, clean energy economy. The event... Read More

    Democrats See Trump’s Big Bill as Key to Their Comeback

    WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — It is big and it is beautiful, President Donald Trump says. But for many Democratic leaders, the tax... Read More

    WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) — It is big and it is beautiful, President Donald Trump says. But for many Democratic leaders, the tax break and spending cut package passed by Trump's Republican allies in Congress on Thursday represents the key to the Democratic Party's resurgence. Even before the final vote,... Read More

    July 3, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    House Passes ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ White House Signing Ceremony Planned for Friday

    WASHINGTON — House Republicans passed the so-called “big, beautiful bill” on Thursday, sending it on to the White House where... Read More

    WASHINGTON — House Republicans passed the so-called “big, beautiful bill” on Thursday, sending it on to the White House where President Donald Trump is planning a signing ceremony for Friday. The 218-214 vote in the chamber was a high victory for both the president and House... Read More

    July 3, 2025
    by Dan McCue
    Bipartisan Support Grows for Keeping AM Radio in Cars

    WASHINGTON — Though it has yet to be scheduled for a vote in the current Congress, momentum continues to build... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Though it has yet to be scheduled for a vote in the current Congress, momentum continues to build behind legislation that would force automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge to consumers. At present, the proposed AM Radio... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top