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| Dear Mr. Hamster,
Thank you for contacting me about emergency foreign aid funding related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a former Navy pilot, combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut, it is an honor to continue my service to our country representing Arizona in the United States Senate, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the issues facing our state and our country. Hearing from Arizonans helps me better serve our state, and I hope you will continue to share your perspective and suggestions. Since the COVID-19 pandemic first began, more than 190 million people have contracted the virus and more than four million people have lost their lives worldwide. The pandemic has pushed our health care systems to the brink and devastated our local and global economies. I am committed to working with federal, state, local and tribal leaders, regardless of party, to continue to address this crisis. Since being sworn into the United States Senate, my top priority has been to work with Republicans and Democrats to get bipartisan legislation through Congress to help beat this virus and provide relief to Arizona families and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. As part of that effort, I helped pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan, and support ongoing efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines at home and around the world. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, H.R. 133, was introduced on December 21, 2020. In addition to providing funding for the federal government for fiscal year 2021, the bill also included bipartisan emergency coronavirus relief, including $5.3 billion in emergency funds for the International Affairs Budget. H.R. 133 passed the Senate with bipartisan support, including my vote, and was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, was introduced by Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) on February 24, 2021. In addition to fully funding a national vaccine program and providing additional relief for the American people, H.R. 1319 provided $11.3 billion in foreign aid to fight this pandemic on a global scale. This emergency funding for the International Affairs Budget supported global health programs, refugees, international disaster relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction for health and food security, and contributed to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. H.R. 1319 passed the Senate with a vote of 50 to 49 on March 6, 2021 and was signed into law by the President on March 11, 2021. I proudly voted for this relief package. COVID-19 is a worldwide crisis. This virus demands global cooperation in our collective fight against this public health emergency. As part of that effort, in June 2021 President Biden announced that the U.S. would donate 500 million doses of stockpiled COVID-19 vaccine to 92 low- and lower middle-income countries around the world, many of which will be donated to and distributed by the World Health Organization’s COVAX program. Our country is strongest when we work closely with our allies to achieve our shared goals. As Arizona’s senator, I will continue actively working with business and community leaders in Arizona, and supporting foreign aid efforts, to ensure that the U.S. is doing all we can to be a part of the global effort to overcome this pandemic. With vaccines widely available in the United States and across our state, Arizonans must work together to slow the spread of the virus. Actions that we take, such as getting vaccinated as soon as possible, will reduce infections and save lives and help our economy recover and grow. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue, and I hope you will continue to contact my office with any future comments or questions. I’m committed to being transparent and accountable with all Arizonans, which is why I release my official Senate schedule at kelly.senate.gov. There you can also sign up for my newsletter, receive assistance with a federal agency, and learn more about my work as Arizona’s senator.
Sincerely, |
