U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that he secured $26 billion in the initial Phase Four COVID-19 relief package. This follows Daines’ direct request to Senate leadership for more robust funding for the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs in any upcoming COVID-19 relief package in Congress. This is in addition to the $10 billion for vaccine manufacturing Daines secured in the CARES Act, which was signed into law in March.
“To get back to normal, we have to stop the pandemic, and to stop the pandemic we need a vaccine. That’s why I’ve made it my top priority since the start of the outbreak to secure funding to accelerate the development and manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine,” Daines said. “I’m glad to have secured this additional $26 billion in vaccine funding that will help get our country back to normal and will continue working until it’s signed into law.”
Last week, Daines led a roundtable with Montana health professionals and Dr. Anand Shah, the Food and Drug Administration’s deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs, to discuss the progress of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Daines was instrumental in authoring the provision that provided $10 billion to accelerate the development and manufacturing of drugs to treat and prevent COVID-19 in the Phase Three Coronavirus Relief Package, or CARES Act.
Daines worked with top healthcare and medical leaders including National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) officials, former Federal Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, and the White House on what they needed on this dual tracking plan, known as “Operation Warp Speed”.
Vice President Pence applauded Senator Daines’ leadership on this issue. On Face The Nation, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Gottlieb also touted Daines’ work on accelerating drug development. Additionally, Dr. Gottlieb discussed Daines’ work on this effort in the Wall Street Journal.
Background:
Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country. To read about Daines’ COVID-19 related efforts, click HERE.
###