2/5/2020

CORONAVIRUS/LEGISLATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Republican and Democratic U.S. senators will introduce legislation on Friday [2-7-20] seeking to reaffirm the country’s commitment to global health amid the coronavirus crisis, including reestablishing a panel – similar to one disbanded by President Donald Trump – charged with preparing for pandemics. Republican Senator Mitt Romney and Democrat Chris Murphy will introduce a bill, seen by Reuters, that would establish a Global Health Security Interagency Review Council, and a U.S. Coordinator for Global Health Security – to be appointed by Trump – from the National Security Council. As Trump’s administration worked to downsize the NSC, which advises the president on security issues, it disbanded the council’s pandemic directorate in 2018. Some critics have said the absence of such a directorate contributed to the sluggish U.S. response to the coronavirus outbreak.”

Patricia Zengerle, “Lawmakers look to reaffirm U.S. commitment to global health, amid coronavirus,” Reuters, February 5, 2020 8:29 pm