FGA Applauds House Passage of the Pandemic is Over Act
- BY FGA
NAPLES, FL – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pandemic is Over Act (H.R. 382), a bill to formally end the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) applauds the House’s action and encourages the Senate and the president to follow suit.
Nearly three years after the start of the pandemic, America has moved on from social distancing, isolation, and quarantine guidelines. Even President Biden declared the pandemic over.
Despite the Biden administration signaling they will allow the emergency to expire on May 11, the administration recently authorized the 12th extension of the public health emergency to retain its emergency powers—and its welfare expansion.
Under the public health emergency, expansions in welfare and the suspension of work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents have made it more lucrative for many Americans to stay home rather than work. And the budget-busting costs of keeping able-bodied adults on welfare has resulted in skyrocketing inflation, supply chain issues, and worker shortages. All while we have more than 10 million open jobs in this country just waiting for workers to fill them.
“For the past two years, the Biden administration has used the public health emergency to justify irresponsible levels of spending and empower Washington to put up major barriers for workers, businesses, and state governments—barriers that are wreaking havoc on families and our economy,” said Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO of FGA. “The emergency should end now—not almost four months from now—if we want a full return to work and assurance that states can protect welfare resources meant for those who truly need them.”
“It’s time to get our economy and our workforce back on track,” added Bragdon.
Recent polling from the Center for Excellence in Polling revealed that a majority of all likely voters (65 percent) somewhat or strongly support ending the public health emergency.
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The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a non-profit, multi-state think tank that promotes public policy solutions to create opportunities for every American to experience the American Dream. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.
