“Continued extensions of the public fitness emergency call into question the legality of the executive’s expanded powers, its abuse of statutory power, and set a terrible precedent for long-term public fitness emergencies,” the letter said. “The continued lack of management clarity and half-hearted recommendation also fails to reassure Americans that they can safely participate in society,” he said. reissue PHE extensions. “
NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS SHOUT AT MEDIA AND SCIENTISTS TO PREMATURELY CLOSE DISCUSSION ON THE ORIGINS OF COVID-19
The letter cited President Biden’s “60 Minutes” interview in September 2022, when he said twice that the COVID-19 pandemic was “over. “
“The pandemic is over. We still have a challenge with COVID. We’re still running a lot,” Biden said at the time while traveling through the Detroit Auto Show. “If you realize that no one is dressed in a mask, everyone turns out to be in pretty smart shape. “
Wednesday’s letter to Biden’s management is signed by thirteen Republicans, adding Reps. Nehls, Gregory Steube, Gregory Murphy, Doug LaMalfa, Monica De La Cruz, Lauren Boebert, Adrian Smith, Michael Guest, Ben Cline, Harriet Hageman, Byron Donalds, Michael Nube and Anna Paulina Luna.
“Today, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra again made the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), which was first implemented through Secretary Azar nearly 3 years ago, bigger for another 90 days,” Nehls said in a statement. “As members of Congress, our solemn duty is to hold unelected bureaucrats accountable. I am proud to have addressed this letter with twelve of my colleagues in Congress to hold Biden’s management accountable. “
In their letter, Nehls and others claimed that party members also support “some flexibility in telehealth. “
“While we agree that some telefitness flexibility introduced under the PHE be made permanent for patients to get care, it is incumbent upon Congress to continue to do so,” they wrote. “During the 117th Congress, 416 of my colleagues and I voted in favor of the Advancing Telefitness Beyond COVID-19 Act, which would allow the extension of certain Medicare telefitness flexibilities after the COVID-19 public fitness emergency ends. “
At HHS on Wednesday, Becerra said he was renewing the emergency “due to the ongoing fallout from the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, on that date and after consulting with public fitness officials if necessary. “
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The PHE will expire after Wednesday, but will now remain in position until at least April 11.
HHS has committed to giving 60 days notice before the emergency expires or ends.
Jessica Chasmar is virtual on the political team of Fox News and Fox Business. History tips can be sent to Jessica. Chasmar@fox. com.