Media

Washington, D.C. – Amid announcements concerning preliminary clinical trial data on remdesivir and anticipated emergency use authorization from the FDA, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, urge Secretary Azar to release information about the extent of taxpayer investment in remdesivir, government ownership of any remdesivir patents, and any federal efforts to scale-up production. Arguing that an unaffordable drug is entirely ineffective for patients suffering, the members assert that “substantial taxpayer investments in COVID-19 pharmaceutical research must be recognized.”

Washington, D.C. – As the COVID-19 pandemic worsens and many states look to serologic testing in order to estimate the extent of COVID-19 infection, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, led an effort to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to swiftly end the current “free-for-all” policy on serological tests, establish firm guidance for manufacturers, and remove tests from the market that do not meet reasonable specificity and sensitivity goals. He was joined in this request by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

Washington, D.C. – As more than 1.4 million Texans have filed for unemployment insurance amid the deepening economic crisis, and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) struggles to handle the influx, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, led all congressional Texas Democrats in urging Governor Abbott to help Texans experiencing ongoing delays in continuing their unemployment benefits by temporarily waiving the current biweekly recertification requirement. By relieving both unemployed Texans and the TWC of this requirement, Abbott could help far more people access needed aid faster.

Austin, Texas – U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, responded to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requiring its employees who are answering phones, processing mail, and other “mission-critical work” to end telework and resume on-site duties in Austin, as soon as tomorrow, Sunday, without assuring that they will be provided personal protective equipment (PPE):