Congressman William Timmons released the following statement regarding the coronavirus outbreak:

“My team and I have been monitoring the ongoing situation with the coronavirus closely. The House has held numerous briefings with agency officials from the CDC, FDA, HHS, and others to keep members updated and answer any questions. The President and his Administration have been working diligently to combat this very serious issue.

“Last June, the President signed into law the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act. This legislation reauthorized the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) ensuring that our country remains vigilant against threats, such as the coronavirus, and that we are prepared to respond with innovative measures. It is imperative that the United States maintain a viable and well-coordinated public health system to address 21^st century threats.

“Additionally, the President has requested emergency funding to respond to the coronavirus threat. I recently signed a letter led by Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02) to House leadership, requesting that these funds not be tied to other pieces of legislation, such as FISA reauthorization, that could tie the hands of members and prevent them from voting for the funding. This is not the time to play politics. Our public health is at risk, and we need to make sure that the funding needed is provided.

“I look forward continuing to work with my colleagues on this issue. Stay tuned for additional updates and be sure to stay up-to-date with the information that the CDC provides, along with your local health officials.” 

For the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit their website here.