Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) spoke on the House floor calling for Congress to prioritize getting the COVID-19 vaccines equitably and efficiently distributed and administered. Rep. Kuster has been a strong advocate for additional support from the federal government as the country continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, Kuster introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster and quicken our nationwide vaccine rollout. The Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act would improve and expand real-time communication between state and federal governments, as well as public and private health care providers, to ensure vaccines are being administered effectively and efficiently across all states and territories. Last month, she introduced the Coronavirus Vaccine and Therapeutic Development Act to ensure that the United States will be able to mass-produce and administer COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics quickly and efficiently. 

Watch Rep. Kuster speak on the House floor here or read below:

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Across the United States, Americans are finally seeing the administration of COVID-19 vaccines improve after a slow roll-out.

The development of two highly-effective vaccines in under one year is an unprecedented scientific accomplishment, but this effort is only truly recognized when we can get vaccines into the arm of every American who wants it.

And that is why the first piece of legislation I introduced this year, “The Coronavirus Vaccine and Therapeutic Development Act,” would dramatically boost federal investment in manufacturing and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines.

There is no greater public health priority than getting this vaccine into the arms of every American, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the equitable distribution of the vaccine.

To improve the facilitation of vaccine distribution, I’ve also introduced bipartisan legislation with my colleague Dr. Larry Bucshon that would improve and expand information sharing between state and federal governments to ensure that vaccines are being administered effectively and efficiently.

I urge my colleagues to join both these bills so that we can save lives and get our economy back on track.

I yield back.