That mark was probably one of the worlds greatest public successes. The eradication of thedeadly smallpox virus. That so many alive today no longer remember the depth and misery caused by this disease is a testament to global efforts and a cooperative manner. The smallpox virus likely originated more than 3000 years ago and is one of the most devastating diseases ever in the history of humanity. It was barely visible under the most powerful microscope and was known for fiery bumps covering the face and body. Profuse internal bleeding, black vomit and pieces of destroyed skinthat would shed off ones body. Smallpox is estimated to have killed up to 300 Million People in the 20th century. 300 million and around 500 million in the last hundred years of its existence. In 1967 the World Organization launch a historic intense effort to eradicate smallpox. The global eradication effort initially used a strategy of mass vaccination to achieve 80 percent Vaccine Coverage in each country tand thereafter using contact tracing, familiar with the word . To reduce and rain in additional outbreaks. Ultimately the global eradication of smallpox was certified and endorsed in 1980. Making it one of the most successful collaborative Public Health initiatives in the history of the world. In fact, this month marks the 40th anniversary of the World Health Organizations historic achievements, the end of smallpox. Similar global efforts have been taken to deal with diseases as polio and evil. So imagine my concern and that of the rest of the world that amid the devastating global coronavirus pandemic, the United States decided just recently to sit out a conference to collaborate and raise funds to research, manufacture and distribute a possible coronavirus treatment and vaccine. Just as with the smallpox effort, such a global collaborative approach makes sense. Being both orally and strategically thing to do to save lives around the world. You see, joining forces with other countries would help speed the development and eventual distribution of a Coronavirus Vaccine that we all desperately seek. It would save lives in america. But it would also save lives around the world. No one knows, no one knows where the vaccine will eventually perfected or produced. So we should be in on this area the United States should be at the table. We should be part of the collective global effort to find this vaccine area clearly, other World Leaders get it. They understand the obvious imperative of raising 8 billion to be spent over the next two years. 8 billion is a massive sum of money until you placed up against the price we are currently paying for this virus. Our allies in the European Union and norway came to this table with the United States vacated or refused to attend. In each place 1 billion towards this 8 million goal. Who was absent from this critical effort to save lives around the world . Including lives in theUnited States . Sadly it was the United States itself. We were not part of this virtual global conference. You see in yet another shortsighted and critically missed opportunity to address the coronavirus question about what thisadministration was thinking. Why were we missing in action when all these countries came together. I dont know where this vaccine will be found. It would be a great source of pride in the United States that i have the greatest eaconfidence in the men and women who are researchers and businesses prepared to produce and develop. I have the greatest confidence in them but what if the very safest vaccine, the most effective vaccine, the one that is proven to be the best comes instead from england or germany . Does that mean we wont use it because its not american vaccine . We know better than that. We want the safest most effective vaccine wherever it may come from. To be available to the world and certainly to the united astates of america. Supporters in Congress Said little or nothing when it came to the decisions to make safe and to not be present at this international conference. The president has blamed others for problems that we face actoday but it was his decision, not to participate in thisglobal conference on the vaccine. It could have devastating consequences. So what does it mean for america . Well, we continue to have some of the worlds best researchers, experts at the National Institutes of health, the disease controland many universities and private researchers work across the country and around the world. And i each funded researchers have spent years putting coronavirus is, their knowledge could help pay the way for future breakthroughs read them and i have to tell you for the last four or five years, there has been a quartet of senators of both Political Parties who have given dramatic investments to the National Institutes of health rfor additional research. Weve been led by roy blunt, republican chair of the appropriations subcommitteeas well as Omar Alexander , the republican chair of the health and education committee. Betty murray has always been the forefront of this effort and ive done my best to back him up every way possible. We had a 30 percent or more increase over the last four years in research at the nih so i believe in the nih and ive made a major part of the job that ive been here in the United States with my bipartisan colleagues. Clinical trials we know are underway nih for vaccines. I want to commend the agency. Doctor, a friend of more than 20 years doctor collins the same but for their tireless unwaveringand inspired. But its plausible as i mentioned earlier with the best vaccine candidate may turn up in some other country. Not in the United States. It will be some overseas company that decides to initiate and leave the production for thevaccine. In a rush to research and ac validate a vaccine and ramp up production address global allocation and supply needs and ensure affordability and access worldwide where where willthe United States stand . In the fray, in the battle or on the sidelines and mark last week we decided to stay on the sidelines and not to work with Global Partners to find this vaccine. When the United States pursues a go it alone approach while the rest of the world is working together , where does that leave us . Why last week senator schumer , menendez, murphy and three of and others join me in introducing a straightforward resolution calls on the us to join theseglobal efforts. Im grateful for nations like half, shot at life, better world and the Un Association of the united for their support of thisresolution. Quite simply we should be part of these efforts not only offer american expertise but to share and lifesaving benefits. We used to have a profound welldocumented proud bipartisan history of such efforts. For example i was pleased to rally around president bushs call december surge of a around the world through this historic program. Many of my republican colleagues in the Senate Support theseefforts. Now we face this coronavirus outbreak. Ai was equally proud of president obamas efforts to set up Infectious Disease prevention systems and his leadership on thecrisis. Madam president i happen to one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle was going to object to enacting this resolution thismorning. I want to read the resolution clause that this colleague will beobjecting to. I want those who are following this debate to ask whether or not they find this objectionable. Heres what it says. Coles on the United States government to boost funding and strengthen collaboration to multilateral institutions at the forefront of responding to covid19. Says the coalition for economic preparedness and, the Vaccine Alliance solidarity trial. This is not a radical or partisan suggestion. We get our best to make it nonpartisan because it should be. Does anyone in this country care if the researcher who finds vaccine is a republican or democrat . I certainly dont and we shouldnt care either whether its found in the United States or another country. Id be so proud if its found here but if theres a safe and effective vaccine found in another country certainly want to participateand in discovering its production and distribution. To stand that point in history wouldbe disastrous. Madam president , last friday oi was driving from chicago to st. Louis. Chicago to springfield. Its about a threehour 15 minute ride. I had plenty of time in that rental car to listen to a lot of radio but it was interrupted. Interrupted by the president who in a press conference made it clear to us that he was going to address the need for this global vaccine as he said, at work speed. I disputed this president on a lot of things but i sure dont disagree with that statement. The serial we can find the better and i want the United States to use all its resources to make that happen. The president was asked in a press conference afterwards what that meant in terms of sharing this vaccine with the world and he said we will do it. It was a simple statement. There was no reservation. He made a pledge then and there that if we discover this vaccine it will be shared with the world. You mister president , that was the right thing to say the right moments as the world is watching tosee the United States leadership. What im calling on in this resolution is simply that we use our erexpertise and investment and we make investments every day on global efforts. We this for a collaborative effort, a global effort to fight this sexy. As i said from the beginning it will be a great source of pride is found here if it isnt, is safer or more effective vaccine available and its discovered in another country, what difference does it make . If it saves lives in america and around the world. Thats the part of this effort and sent our pride aside instead talk about the impact it would have on this loan and on the people today who are in fear, suffering and sadly dyingas a result of this global virus. And so madam president i ask unanimous consent that the committee on Foreign Relations be discharged from further consideration of advance resolution 579 and the senate proceed to its consideration. I further asked the resolution be agreed to, preamble the agreed to and the motion to reconsider the laid upon the table withno intervening action or debate. Is their objection . Senator from idaho. Madam president , reserving the right to object. Let me say that the resolution referred to by my friend from illinois is comfortably residing in the Foreign Relations committee at present time and is subject to the regular order of congress and of the committee. Theres almost nothing that the senator said that i disagree with although from time to time i do disagree with my good friend and colleague from illinois. I think that this is a matter of most serious consequence to the United States of America Today and certainly the pursuit of a vaccine and or that you are are of utmost importance. I think that the process by which we go through that is incredibly important. Like senator from illinois i am a huge fan of the nih and for that matter the cdc who do great things for the Public Health system and not only america but in the world. They are vastly underappreciated. Tythey are much like the electric switch in our rooms that every morning we get on and turn on the electricity and everythings fine, we take it for granted and dont even think about it and thats true of the nih and the cdc. They do great work whether were thinking about it or not butin america we have something more than a government effort when it comes to Public Health. We have this Great Machine called the freemarket , Free Enterprise system that incentivizes americans to through the private sector to do great and glorious things. Indeed, while my good friend from illinois was bragging on the efforts by other countries to pursue the kinds of things that are needed within the last 24 hours weve had a very important announcementfrom part of our private sector who are making Great Strides in this regard. I think its important that we do accept that there are various ways that we can and should pursue the vaccine and the cure for thishorrible scourge. This matter is a lot deeper than that. It is the intent of our committee to hold hearings and develop very comprehensive legislation regarding how we pursue this in the future. Whats just recently happen to us is of great interest to all of us, but not nearly as importantas whats going to happen to us in the future. The senate bill 579, there are parts of it that the vast majority of it that i think will be included when we get to what hopefully will be a comprehensive peace of Bipartisan Legislation to address this. Some of the addresses im not too redhot about but as far as the resolution they state things that would be in unanimity i think an agreement. So where are we going with this . What my friend from illinois has raised is a very small facet and an important facet but a small facet of what were going to do, what is the intent of our committee to do going forward. And what i think will be a bipartisan fashion and again like i said, i hope we are able to eninclude these and i welcome the senators participation and all numbers of the senates participation as the foreign onrelations committee does move forward on some comprehensive legislation but what do we know for sure right now . I think senator durbin did an excellent job of taking us through history when it comes to some of the things weve had in the past like smallpox, aids, polio and evil and the United States has been a leader and will be a leader on this particular scourge. The who and for that matter other World Organizations have been large players, important players, helpful players in those efforts in the past on smallpox, aids, polio and e bola and again i come back to just as an example polio. A huge factor in that was not the United States government. They were a huge factor but another huge player in that was the private citizen, private citizens. A couple in the United States, bill and Melinda Gates who played a huge role in eradicating polio. Working with the who and the usg and many others and i have no doubt as we go forward on this there will be that type of collaboration in the future. As the good senator noted this is not a political issue. This is not a democrat issue and its not a republican issue. The virusdoesnt care who you are, what you are , its just looking for a hook and we need to deny that home and we will and i think we will make Great Strides as we go forward but what do we know for sure right now . What we know is this particular virus evil in china, particularly in the wuhan province and specifically in a species of bat. We also know that there are about 2000 so far identified viruses that are in the same provision that are carried by bats in the province area we also know that a virus has escaped from china before and there is a lot of speculation as to exactly how this happened. We know the virus jumps species from the bat to a human being and then went around the world. We also know for a fact that this particular virus ulike all viruses act uniquely. Its not exactly the same as other viruses that have jumps species and gone around the world. And this one was unique in that unlike some of the ones weve had inthe past , this is our sixth experience since 2003 with a virus, unlike those others, this moved around the world at incredibly fast speeds. It was much more like a house on fire and the other diseases that we talked about like smallpox or polio. Its speed was unique. It was new. It wasdifferent and as a result , historical organizations that have dealt with these in the past were not expecting it and were not geared for it. They thought this virus would move much like the others that weve dealt with and the result of that of course was that itgot away us , from the world and we now find ourselves in the position we are inbecause that happened. Its my hope and it is my objective and hopefully will be the objective of our committee, eventually the objective of the United States senate and hopefully eventually the objective of the world that we develop a protocol for dealing with a virus or for that matter any other health challenge. That moves at the speed of light and like a house on fire as opposed to a small, creeping thing that weve had in the past and some of the other challenges that we had and its different. Theres no doubt its different and its going to have to be dont with differently and going tohave to be , were going to have esto develop a protocol that does address this speed and its going to entail, and this is probably the heaviest list of all the things were going to do. Its going to entail governments, the 200 governments around the world to come together and agree that when Something Like this happens in their country , instead of covering it up or instead of making political excuses or instead of hoping that its going to go away, instead they call the Fire Department and the Fire Department will be a new agency or perhaps even one of the old agencies that we had that are geared to handle a pandemic that moves at this speed or presents other challenges. The institutions we have just simply arent geared to do that which we found out with this epidemic. The institutions, i think a good example is my good friend from illinois mentioned the ebola challenge that we had. The historical institutions i think dealt quickly with that and it really held down the damage from it which could have been much worse than what it was. We need to develop protocols fordealing with this. And this is going to be a challenge, no question is going to be a challenge because politics comes into this simply because of governments in the various 200 countries around the world are, they have to deal with this and when they do deal with it they have different ways ofdealing with it. One of the challenges that we have here as the chairman of the Foreign Relations committee ideal with our diplomats who deal with the diplomats from other countries, we deal with them on the committee directly but since this thing has hit we havent had as much direct contact but our diplomats have continued to have ycontact and one of the things in talking withthem , one of the things i find particularly disturbing is i asked the chinese, are they humbleabout this . How are they dealing with this . Whats their view of whats happened here . And interestingly enough, they ttake it as an opportunity to compare our form of government to their form of angovernment and they say we had a problem, we dealt with it. You had the same problem and you dealt with it and you couldnt and the reason is we have this strong authoritarian Central Government that can control people and can control people in the most severe fashion and we can deal with it. You people with all these freedoms and your democracies. You have speech, you have these political arguments, you have disagreements and you allow dissent and whenyou have that you cant deal with it. Therefore our formof government is better than your form of government. That is dangerous talk and im disturbed and disappointed that the Chinese Government have viewed this as they have and have not viewed it as we have, as a challenge that is going to take historical changes as we go forward. That is a huge challenge as we go forward but that shouldnt stop us from making every effort that we can to go forward and we will. On the Foreign Relations committee it is our intent to hold hearings to deliberate as u. S. Senate does and to produce what hopefully will be a bipartisan piece of legislation which is substantially broader than what we have here but hopefully that will include many of the things that we have here and that will include as the good senator from illinois has indicated the necessity of including other governments in the effort as we go forward. So i commit to you senator and i commit to all that our committee will undertake this challenge. It is within the jurisdiction and responsibility of our committee. We take it seriously. We are still in the throes of this although it feels like we are on the downhill side instarting to come out of this but as we go forward in the very common sense, deliberative fashion we hope to construct legislation that will address all of these very serious issues because if theres one thing we know for sure and im absolutely , that this is going to happen again. Given the physical situation on the ground in wuhan china, given the fact there are 2000 other viruses, probably some of which are substantially worse than this and for that matter the same situation in other parts of the world, this is going to happen again given the population of the world and given the population, given the way we live today in the world and our travel and interconnectedness. This is going to happen again and we need to be ready for it and we need strong g legislation that will address it. Not only at the us level but also at atthe international level. The United States has been a world leader in world Health Issues and i anticipate that we will continue to be like that but at the present time it is under consideration in our committee so at the present time we cant go forward with this. Oobefore i state an objection i want to yield to my good friend from indiana who has some ideas in this regard and all of which will be im sure constructive on bothsides of the aisle so im going to yield the floor to senator braun at this time. Thank you senator. Madam president. The senator from indiana. I object but my colleagues from illinois is not wrong and i think after i get through explaining my objection hopefully there will be something we can work out area the us should be engaging more in global efforts tofind treatments and vaccines for coronavirus. Governments, academic institutions, interests, researchers across the world are racing to do it. The us must work at home and with International Partners to develop treatments and vaccines. There is no reason we cant be doing something on our own in working with others across the world. This is a joint venture if there ever has been one. However, the nonbinding resolution that my colleague has offered is not an actual solution. I come from the world and one of the frustrations of being there for just a year and a half as we dont get more stuffacross the finish line. I have a real solution to ensure americans benefit from the vaccine and treatment developmentefforts across the world. My bill, the acts , senate bill 658 as amended would create an expedited almost automatic approval process at s the fda for vaccines and treatments. Might occur across the world. We do not have a market cornered on good ideas. These countries have all developed regulatory systems that are compatible and that should make us feel comfortable. But instead of just talking about we do so much of here, this bill would actually establish the approval reciprocity for treatments and vaccines between the fda and other trusted counterparts. One of them approves of vaccine or treatment, they are quickly, almost automatically approved here in the us with my bill. We cannot afford mystification or bureaucratic dragging with something so important. My bill ensures that regulators will work proactively to get americans sa vaccine as soon as possible. Ib look at early testing missteps we did have with the cdc. I mentioned that in the briefing. Tlast tuesday. There overly prescriptive approach delayed our testing capability for the first 48. The results has been a one size fits all approach of locking down the economy. Which i think we will see some of the disadvantages of that over the next few months. So my staff talked to the fda p about working with International Partners on treatment and Vaccine Development , the fda assured them that they have everything under control and are speaking with their international counterparts. The fda assured of my staff that they have covered the issues that might come into play when you are having a partnership with somebody else. Fda is promoting the idea and having the doors open for developers to submit data and to seek approval for treatments and vaccines. Until we have a vaccine reopening, will be gradual. We may hurt a vaccine for me to find eea solution to this saga were going through. But we cannot afford bureaucratic obstacles slowing down Regulatory Approvals for successful vaccines. As we have seen certain steps of vaccine elements, can be achieved at work seed to cut down on the time, but Regulatory Approvals will not be one of them unless we take legislative action. The adapt act is real action. Not just talk. Specifically designed or times like this when scientists across the world are racing to develop treatments. And vaccines. Therefore, with my prior objection i do not want to leave my friend from illinois emptyhanded. And hoping my colleagues from illinois will not object. Madam president , as in legislative sessions i ask unanimous consent that the Health Committee be discharged from further consideration of 658 and the Senate Procedure with immediate consideration. I further asked that the braun substitute desk be considered and agreed to, the bill as amended be considered regular time and pass the motions to reconsider considered made and laid upon the table. Reserving the right to object. Madam president. Let me save my friend and colleague from idaho thank you. The tone of your remarks is positive, constructive but bipartisan and thats what lthe American People are looking for at least in illinois and ill bet you in idaho as well. This national emergency, this Public Health crisis should bring out the best inus. And thank you because i think your remarks were offered in that respect. Weve been here three hiweeks and this is the third week since returning from a break where most of us were at home. I think this is the longest period of debate on the coronavirus we witnessed on the floor of the senate in three weeks. I thought this really period would be all about covid19, all about the vaccine. It hasnt. We take up many other things that have nothing to do with it but what we talked about this morning is encouraging to me and if bringing this resolution up with unanimous consent request is going to lead to some Foreign Relations committee and other committees, really moving forward on the important policy questions you raise and i hope i rate as well, that was not time wasted it was time well spent and we agree on so much more than we disagree. Im sure of it when it comes to this. As i invite you, i beg you soon as we returned from next weeks recess, the sooner we can bring back hearing before your committee and others. The better. Id like to address my colleague from indianas unanimous consent request as well. Its been my good fortune in the house and senate to work with the fda. Is probably one of the most underrated agencies of our federal government. They make decisions literally lifeanddeath decisions every single day on things unimaginable to us. Its hard to look at all of the things they regulate and inspect and not be impressed. Ive been impressed over the years of the fda but the Gold Standard of fda which was established at least six years ago with the phone my channel was that this agency was to take a look tat drugs that were about to go on the market in america and conduct tests as questions, do their own research to determine two things that are they safe and are they effective . Safe and effective. Thats it but its a lot. So over the years from 60 years or more have used those standards to judge drugs, Clinical Trials which carefully measure the impact of the drug on the human body. Over a training time in the life is frustrating because at times it takes longer than we wish. There are exceptions that have been created at the fda for extraordinary circumstances where they can accelerate the process. But by and large they have judge drugs are safe and effective. Today, nearly 3 4 of drugs are approved in the United States by the fda before they are approved in any other country around theworld. The fda is considered the Gold Standard, ive been told that so many times and in many countries, the fda and the United States to see if they approved of a job as being safe and effective before they moveforward. This demonstrates the fda has an awesome responsibility but is doing a good job in ensuring americans have access to the same drugs as patientsin other countries. That which center brought brings to the port is a solution i believe in search of a problem. Sadly it runs a real risk. This notion that we are somehow going to open up the possibility of a drug approved in another country being approved in the United States quickly or without any review , i think is a dangerous thing to do. Today we know what the coronavirus has done to us. And we also know that this bill would completely change how drugs are approved for salein the United States of n america. It is not a minor bbill. It is a major change. Under current law pharmaceutical companies to sell a dog needs to be approval of the fda. And to be sure its safe and af effective. It is the Gold Standard. Your proposal would abolish this method. That is significant. Instead, your proposal says that the drug has been approved by another country, im not sure your division of adult country but if approved, sent pass this regulation and come to market ev without going through the fda study review and approval. It is worth noting that many members of the house and senate have criticized pharmaceutical industry or charging americans thehighest drug prices in the world. Ive been in that force from time to time and suggested drug prices should be the same as they are in canada and europe for the same drugs. Many times people on your side of the aisle have resisted that suggestion. They called it socialism and said we shouldnt let other countries dictate what america has to pay for drugs but now apparently senator braun is comfortable letting other countries dictate whether our drugs are safe and effective. This bill is not a targeted response to coronavirus. Its an open ended giveaway to some part of pharmaceutical operations and more importantly it is putting our safety at risk kin america which we never ever want to do. Instead of approving a resolution i introduced that simply expresses support for global coordination senator braun wants to completely overturn our renations drug approvalprocess. This bill was introduced more than a year ago and its still in search of a cosponsor and it hasnt been consented by the republican Health Committee which oversees the fda. Now is the time for the best and brightest to Work Together towards a shared goal of ending this pandemic and finding a safe and effective vaccine. It is not the time to completely upend our nations drug approval process making it easy for some countries to flaunt ourmarket with unsafe drugs. For these reasons i object to senator brauns counterproposal. The objective is heard for both unanimous consent request. The senator from indiana is recognized. It may be a rare moment of some collegiality on the idea in general, i think the American Public and especially myself is one that watched this place operate for so many years leading up to the point where i ran for senate. I accept the kind of guidance that there may need to be more fleshed out. You objected to it. I think the American Public deserves action out of this place and so often it seems we dawdle and do not get to the point. Looking how long it took the body to come to agreement on criminal justice reform, and when i asked one of the first questions when i got here thats how long have you been ee working, 10 to 12 years. When you look at what we odo get accomplished here, i think we need to figure out how we become more effective. We get things done more quickly. And how we pay for it in the long run. So im going to savor the moment we have here where we are at least talking about and hopefully be able to work ywith my neighbor from illinois. To still push the idea that this is a critical time and we need to get something done. I yield the floor. The senate is in recess for their weekly party caucus meetings. President trump had plans to go to capitol hill to attend the caucus with republicans. Earlier lawmakers voted to confirm contrast to the District Court judge for arizona read when lawmakers return