Joni Ernst's Bill to Recoup Unspent COVID Funds Blocked by Ron Wyden

Recouping Unspent COVID-19 Funds

• 💡 Senator Joni Ernst introduced a bill to reclaim billions in unspent COVID-19 funding, arguing that the pandemic is over and emergency spending should cease.
• 🎯 The bill aims to return funds to taxpayers and prevent Washington from finding new ways to waste them.

Examples of Unspent Funds

• 🐒 Ernst highlighted a $1.8 million study at Oregon Health and Science University involving monkeys fed alcohol, funded by COVID money.
• 🏛️ Other examples include $3 million for museum and library services, $390 million for USAID's emergency connectivity fund, and $4 million for international broadcasting operations.
• 🏥 An HHS program management account still holds $389 million six years after the pandemic began, and the USDA has $1 million for marketing services.

Senator Wyden's Objection

• ⚠️ Senator Ron Wyden objected to Ernst's bill, stating it would rescind funds needed for public health emergencies, such as an Ebola outbreak response.
• 💉 Wyden argued that rescinding funds for medical supply chain development and workforce building, like nurses and disease specialists, would make America less safe.
• 🤝 He proposed a comprehensive review of rescissions as part of the appropriations process, rather than through standalone legislation.