Biden looks for $9B+ in new Covid funds as Senate passes resolution to end emergency declaration
The lame duck session is here and the Biden administration yesterday asked Congress for $9.25 billion in new Covid-19 funding for vaccines, treatments and tests even as President Biden’s Covid-19 coordinator said earlier this week that this winter likely won’t come with a big surge of new infections.
Republicans have spurned three previous requests by this administration for emergency Covid funds. The new funds would help to create Operation Warp Speed 2.0, dubbed “Project Covid Shield,” that would help to develop next-gen vaccines and treatments as three variants — BA. 5, BQ.1.1 and B.Q.1 — make up more than 70% of US infections, according to the CDC. Biden is also calling for more funds for the global Covid fight, in addition to $750 million to fight HIV, hepatitis C and monkeypox.
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