Chairman Thompson, Committee Leaders Request Information on DHS Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security; Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Vice Chairwoman; and Subcommittee Chairs Reps. J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY), Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Max Rose (D-NY) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf requesting information on the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts in addressing the health and homeland security implications of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Letter Text:
“Thank you for agreeing to the Committee’s request for a briefing on the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to help address the threat to our Nation’s health and security from the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak.
To date, the virus has reportedly killed 106 individuals and infected nearly 4,600 more in China, though the actual number of infected individuals may be significantly higher. Hospitals in affected areas remain overwhelmed, and there is a shortage of vital personal protective equipment. Even with an unprecedented quarantine affecting over 50 million people, the outbreak continues to worsen. Furthermore, there are concerns the Chinese government has not been transparent about the outbreak, impeding the response.
The virus has now spread to at least thirteen other countries, with five confirmed cases in the United States. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments lead the response domestically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a key supporting role. As you know, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is supporting the health screenings at our borders; the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is working alongside CBP to notify travelers about disease risk; the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office’s (CWMD) National Biosurveillance Integration Center is working with the CDC and other U.S. government partners to monitor the status of the outbreak; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating with the Department of Health and Human Services on preparedness.
Given the outbreak’s potential threat to the homeland, DHS must have the plans, authorities, and resources it needs to execute its mission alongside its Federal partners and in conjunction with foreign governments and the private sector. In addition to helping protect the general public, it is imperative that the Department protect its employees, both domestically and abroad. We look forward to a briefing in the coming days to gain a better understanding of how DHS is supporting the national response to the outbreak. We stand ready to assist the Department of Homeland Security and its partners in this important effort.”
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Press Contact
Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
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