Procedural vote will take place this morning on the nominee. The confirmation vote later this afternoon. And the negotiations are continuing on a coronavirus aid package. Live coverage now here on cspan2. The president pro tempore the senate will come to order. The chaplain, dr. Black, will open the senate with prayer. The chaplain let us pray. O god our shield, we rejoice in the gift of your salvation. Look with favor upon our senators today, delivering them from fear and guiding them around the obstacles that hinder their progress. Lord, unite them for the common good of this great land. Lord, manifest your purposes to them, making clear your plans and guiding them with your love. Give them the wisdom to have confidence in your power, as you inspire them to use their talents as instruments of liberation and healing. Almighty god, have compassion upon our nation and world. We pray in your holy name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge a
Their own lives and health to save others. And we owe a debt of gratitude to those in essential Service Industry jobs who are also risking exposure to ensure americans have food and other essential items during this time of crisis. While i comply with guidance to remain home, i am still working tirelessly with my colleagues in congress to protect people from this vicious, vicious pandemic and to mitigate the impact on americans financial security. As chairwoman of the House Appropriations committee, i helped shepherd three Coronavirus Response bills through congress. Our first bill provided a vital infusion of funding to procure protective equipment for Health Care Workers and bolster the Public Health system. It also jumpstarted the development of vaccines that will one day stop this scourge. Just days later, the Families First Coronavirus Response act made coronavirus testing free, expanded paid leave to American Workers and strengthened food initiatives for seniors and the vulnerabl
Good afternoon, everyone. I am the director of the museum and staff director of the museum of Natural History. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the next pandemic. Hopefully its not the next pandemic right here. You might think that the Natural History museum is not the best placed at the meeting like this. This museum is the largest Natural Museum and has 145 million objects. I say that objects, whatever, but the reality is collecting the Natural World for the last frontiers in preserving preserving those objects in museums, and this is the place where we have what we know about planet earth, so the records have collect and over the years 300 years preserved at acceptable by research scientists. Last year over 400 species were described by scientists working the building. At the same time we welcome 6 million visitors. Most of those visitors are tourists which means the next years a different 6 million, the world plus largest collection, visit by the Worlds Largest is the audience,
Response capabilities. We will hear from dr. Robert kadlick, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the department of health and human services. Dr. Steven redd, director of the office of Public Health preparedness and response at the centers for Disease Control and prevention, and dr. Scott g gottlieb, commissioner of the food and Drug Administration. This is the first of two hearings we plan to have on this topic. The second will be noticed for tuesday, january 23rd. Senator murray and i each have an opening statement, then im going to turn to senator alexander and senator casey for any opening remarks they might have. After that, we will introduce our panel of witnesses and hear their testimonies, and then each member will have up to five minutes for any remarks and questions. Finishes first i would like to welcome the chairman and thank him for giving me the opportunity to hold the gavel today. This hearing discusses a topic thats critical to our National Security and
Fda commissioner along with the assistant secretary of health and Human Services for preparedness and response, along with an official with the centers for Disease Control. Id like to call this hearing to order, the Senate Health education labor and pensions committee. This morning were holding a hearing titled facing the 21st Century Public Health threats, our nations preparedness and response capabilities. Well hear from the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the department of health and Human Services, the director of the office of Public Health preparedness and response at the centers for Disease Control and prevention, and the commissioner of the food and Drug Administration. This is the first of two hearings we plan to have on this topic. The second will be noticed for tuesday, january 23rd. Senator murray and i each have an opening statement. Then im going to turn to senator alexander and senator casey for any opening remarks they might have. After that well in