WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Representative James Comer (R-KY) issued a joint statement applauding the introduction of Senator Lankford’s (R-OK) Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Rapid Recovery Act:

“Over the past eight months, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed burdensome regulations that have exacerbated a myriad of problems within the United States. Without question, the Pandemic Preparedness, Response and Rapid Recovery Act is an obligatory, bicameral initiative from Congress to cut bureaucratic red tape that hampers recovery from the damaging health and economic effects of COVID-19 and future pandemics,” said Representative Foxx. “I’m so pleased that Senator Lankford has introduced this important companion bill that will ensure critical oversight and the removal of regulatory obstacles for future pandemic preparedness.”

“I applaud Senator Lankford for partnering with us to provide much needed regulatory relief to aid the great American comeback,” said House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer. “We cannot lend and spend our way to recovery. We need to provide our job creators with regulatory relief to help rebuild our economy and create jobs for American workers. The Pandemic Preparedness, Response, and Rapid Recovery Act would help cut red tape to empower economic growth and promote a healthy workforce during the coronavirus pandemic.”

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.