Chairs Rodgers, Guthrie Applaud Passage of H.R. 185

Washington, D.C. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) and Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 185, a bill to the End Cruel International Travel COVID Shot Mandate:

"At a time when the CDC's credibility is at an historic low, these inconsistent, unscientific, and authoritarian mandates further erode the public's confidence in our public health institutions. It's time for the Biden administration to bring the United States in line with the majority of the world's commonsense COVID-19 policies and stop abusing its power. We thank Congressman Massie for leading on this important legislation."

Background:

H.R. 185 blocks an April 7, 2022, CDC Order that requires international travelers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter the U.S. on an airplane. Additionally, this bill will prevent the CDC from implementing any similar order to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the U.S.

The COVID-19 vaccination order is a totally separate and distinct order from the COVID-19 testing requirement for travelers coming from China. H.R. 185 only terminates and defunds the vaccination requirement order for incoming air travelers and would have no effect on the testing order. The testing order will remain in place.

This CDC Order is not tied to the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and will not end on May 11th, having the potential to remain in place indefinitely.

Related: Last week, the People's House passed legislation to end the CMS COVID-19 vaccine mandate on health care workers and end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.