The Homeland Security Committee has released a report assessing the government’s coronavirus oversight response, detailing the Committee’s actions amid the pandemic.
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, recently released a majority staff report regarding the assessment.
“The coronavirus pandemic has been one of the most challenging adversities our country has faced and has posed a multi-faceted, rapidly evolving threat to our homeland,” Thompson said. “We will continue to provide the essential oversight our nation needs to help ensure our response efforts are led by the truth, guided by experts and put the safety and health of our workers and families first. Our work on this generational challenge is just beginning.”
The Committee kicked off its oversight effort with three hearings on coronavirus in March.
After social distancing protocols took effect, the Committee continued its oversight of the Trump Administration’s preparedness and response activities, indicating since March, the Committee has convened 12 virtual forums, and members have received 10 briefings with administration officials to examine aspects of the pandemic response and its many homeland security implications.
The Committee has also issued more than 40 letters and requests for documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and their component agencies, according to the report.
Committee priorities include supporting frontline employees by introducing legislation to ensure healthcare coverage and other benefits are provided to at-risk frontline federal workers; strengthening preparedness and response by working with other committees, the Government Accountability Office and Inspectors General to ensure that all facets of the pandemic are examined and that there is complete accountability; and introducing legislation to create a coronavirus commission, similar to the 9/11 Commission.
Priorities also include demanding accountability for PPE shortages by conducting an ongoing investigation and demanding documents from the Administration about Federal efforts to procure and distribute PPE, such as Project Airbridge.