GOP senators say Biden’s COVID-19 strategy has “exacerbated vaccine reluctance”

Four Republican senators wrote to the White House on Wednesday, saying the Biden administration “has created confusion and exacerbated vaccine hesitation” with its COVID-19 strategy.

Sense. Richard burrRichard Mauze BurrSenate Advances Biden Consumer Office Choice After Emboldened Trump Panel Stall Targets GOP NC Enemies Republican Main Test of Trump Influence MORE (RN.C.), Mike CrapoMichael (Mike) Dean CrapoThe Energy Innovation Credit Act is game-changing for the industry (R-Idaho), Roy BluntRoy Dean Blunt Missouri official asks court to suspend McCloskeys legal licenses GOP hopes spending traps derail Biden agenda A two-chamber story: Trump’s power holds in the House, dwindles in the Senate MORE (R-Mo.) And Senate Minority Leader Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell McConnell and Shelby propose government finance bill with no debt cap Franken targets senators on both sides in new comedy tour Woodward: Milley “was putting reasonable precautions” with calls in China MORE (R-Ky.) Said in letter to White House COVID-⁠19 response coordinator Jeff ZientsJeff ZientsThe Hill’s Morning Report – Brought to you by Alibaba – Fears of government shutdown rise as executives dig in hopes of travel industry rebound with easing COVID-19 restrictions Overnight Defense & National Security – Presented by AM General – Rocky US alliances as Biden walks to the United Nations Assembly MORE that the administration had “no clear strategy to end this pandemic” and claimed that progress towards ending the pandemic had been “halted”.

“In recent months, our progress in the fight against COVID-19 has been halted – cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant are increasing across the country, increasing pressure on health systems and forcing hospitals to refuse patients, ”the senators wrote.

Senators asked Zients to answer a series of questions specific to COVID-19 before September 30, including why the administration announced a nationwide rollout of booster injections before they were approved by the federal government, how the administration was preparing for possible new variants and why this was limiting access to monoclonal antibody treatments in the states.

Senators noted they were aware of the White House’s latest COVID-19 action plan, in which Biden mandated vaccines for federal workers and companies with more than 100 employees, but argued that Americans deserve more details on how the administration will use vaccines to “fight disease with clear, concise plans that put science before politics.”

The Hill has contacted the White House for comment.

Republican governors have pledged to fight Biden’s state-level vaccination mandates, and Republicans in general have been much more skeptical of the COVID-19 vaccine than Democrats. As of September 13, 52.8% of people in counties who voted for Biden were fully vaccinated compared to 39.9% in countries who voted for Trump, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

However, McConnell and his co-signers have been strong supporters of the COVID-19 vaccine in recent months.

The senators’ letter comes as the Biden administration received a heavy blow last week when a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel said it would recommend a third injection of COVID-19 to older Americans, but declined to approve the boosters for wider use. The Biden administration had hoped to start rolling out boosters from Monday.

There was also confusion over the timeline for administering such a reminder – including comments from the President last month suggesting that the timeline for when a third would be administered could be shortened from eight months to five months after one. second shot.

General surgeon Vivek MurthyVivek MurthyFDA Panel Endorses COVID-19 Booster Injections for Older Americans, Rejects Widespread Use Facebook Announces Crackdown on “Coordinated Social Damage” Campaigns Biden to Speak in Person at United Nations General Assembly MORE said ahead of the FDA panel vote that the White House would adhere to any decision recommended by the FDA and CDC. “We will follow this assessment and their recommendations, we will make sure that our final plan reflects it,” he said.