,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #ecbg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #bj1 #bjbb,mrs4 ,feinstein 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,marshall1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,ms4 ,baldwin1 and ,ms4 ,ernst7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,national ,task ,force on the ,response of the ,united ,states to the ,,covid-#ai ,pandemic4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,national ,task ,force on the ,,covid-#ai ,pandemic ,act4 #b4 ,comprehensive review of the ,,covid-#ai response 7a7 ,establishment of task force ,there is established in the legislative branch a task force to be known as the ,national ,task ,force on the ,response of the ,united ,states to the ,,covid-#ai ,pandemic 7referred to in this section as the ,task ,force74 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,task ,force are to-- 7#a7 examine1 assess1 and report upon the ,united ,states preparedness for1 and response to1 the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 including-- 7,a7 the initial ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and territorial responses in the ,united ,states2 7,b7 the ongoing ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and territorial responses in the ,united ,states1 including the activities1 policies1 and decisions of the ,trump ,administration and the ,biden ,administration2 7,c7 the impact of the pandemic on public health and health care systems2 and 7,d7 the initial outbreak in ,wuhan1 ,china1 including efforts to determine the potential causes for the emergence of the ,,sars-,co,v-#b virus1 and ,federal actions to mitigate its spread internationally2 7#b7 build upon existing or ongoing evaluations and avoid unnecessary duplication1 by reviewing the findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations of other appropriate task forces1 committees1 commissions1 or entities established by other public or nonprofit private entities related to the ,united ,states preparedness for1 and response to1 the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7#c7 identify gaps in public health preparedness and medical response policies1 processes1 and activities1 including disparities in ,,covid-#ai infection and mortality rates among people of color1 older adults1 people with disabilities1 and other vulnerable or at-risk groups1 and how such gaps impacted the ability of the ,united ,states to respond to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 and 7#d7 submit a report to the ,president and to ,congress on its findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations to improve the ,united ,states preparedness for1 and response to1 future public health emergencies1 including a public health emergency resulting from an emerging infectious disease4 7c7 ,composition of ,task ,force2 meetings 7#a7 ,members ,the ,task ,force shall be composed of #ab members1 of whom-- 7,a7 #a member shall be appointed by the majority leader of the ,senate2 7,b7 #a member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,senate2 7,c7 #b members shall be appointed by the chair of the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2 7,d7 #b members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate2 7,e7 #a member shall be appointed by the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives2 7,f7 #a member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives2 7,g7 #b members shall be appointed by the chair of the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,h7 #b members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,chair and vice chair ,not later than #cj days after the date on which all members of the ,task ,force are appointed under paragraph 7#a71 such members shall meet to elect a ,chair and ,vice ,chair from among such members4 ,the ,chair and ,vice ,chair shall each be elected to serve upon an affirmative vote from not less than #h members of the ,task ,force4 ,the ,chair and ,vice ,chair shall not be registered members of the same political party4 7#c7 ,qualifications 7,a7 ,political party affiliation ,not more than #f members of the ,task ,force shall be registered members of the same political party4 7,b7 ,nongovernmental appointees ,an individual appointed to the ,task ,force may not be an officer or employee of the ,federal ,government or any ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial government4 7,c7 ,qualifications ,it is the sense of ,congress that individuals appointed to the ,task ,force should be highly qualified citizens of the ,united ,states4 ,members appointed under paragraph 7#a7 may include individuals with expertise in-- 7i7 public health1 health disparities and at-risk populations1 medicine1 and related fields2 7ii7 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial government1 including public health and medical preparedness and response and emergency management and other relevant public administration2 7iii7 research regarding1 or the development1 manufacturing1 distribution1 and regulation of1 medical products2 7iv7 national security and foreign relations1 including global health2 and 7v7 commerce1 including transportation1 supply chains1 and small business4 7#d7 ,deadline for appointment ,all members of the ,task ,force shall be appointed not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7#e7 ,meetings ,the ,task ,force shall meet and begin the operations of the ,task ,force as soon as practicable4 ,after its initial meeting1 the ,task ,force shall meet upon the call of the ,chair and ,vice ,chair or not less than #h of its members4 7#f7 ,quorum2 vacancies 7,a7 ,quorum ,eight members of the ,task ,force shall constitute a quorum4 7,b7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy in the ,task ,force shall not affect its powers1 but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made4 7d7 ,functions of ,task ,force ,the functions of the ,task ,force are to-- 7#a7 conduct a review that-- 7,a7 examines the initial outbreak of the ,,sars-,co,v-#b virus in ,wuhan1 ,china1 including-- 7i7 engaging with willing partner governments and global experts2 7ii7 seeking access to relevant records2 and 7iii7 examining the potential causes of the emergence and source of the virus2 7,b7 examines the ,united ,states preparation for1 and response to1 the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 including-- 7i7 relevant laws1 policies1 regulations1 and processes that were in place prior to1 or put into place during1 the public health emergency declared by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services under section #cai of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7 with respect to ,,covid-#ai1 including any that are put into place related to such public health emergency after the date of enactment of this ,act and prior to the issuance of the final report pursuant to subsection 7j77#b72 7ii7 relevant actions taken by1 and coordination between1 ,federal1 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial governments1 nongovernmental organizations1 and international organizations on preparedness and response efforts1 including coordination between governments and other public and private entities1 during the-- 7,i7 initial response in the ,united ,states2 7,,ii7 response during the ,trump ,administration2 and 7,,iii7 ongoing response during the ,biden ,administration2 7iii7 communication of public health and scientific information related to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 including processes for the development1 approval1 and dissemination of ,federal public health and other relevant public health or scientific guidance2 and 7iv7 actions taken to support the development1 manufacturing1 and distribution of medical countermeasures and related medical supplies to prevent1 detect1 and treat ,,covid-#ai2 and 7,c7 may include assessments relating to-- 7i7 the capacity and capabilities of ,federal1 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial governments to respond to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7ii7 the capacity and capabilities of health care facilities and the health care workforce to respond to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7iii7 medical countermeasure research and development and the supply chains of medical products necessary to respond to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic2 7iv7 international preparedness for and response to ,,covid-#ai1 and ,federal decision-making processes related to new global health threats2 7v7 containment and mitigation measures related to domestic and international travel in response to ,,covid-#ai2 and 7vi7 the impact of the ,,covid-#ai pandemic and related mitigation efforts on hard-to-reach and at-risk or underserved populations1 including related health disparities2 7#b7 identify1 review1 and evaluate the lessons learned from the ,,covid-#ai pandemic1 including activities to prepare for1 and respond to1 future potential pandemics and related public health emergencies2 and 7#c7 submit to the ,president and ,congress such reports as are required by this ,act containing such findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations as the ,task ,force shall determine4 7e7 ,powers of ,task ,force 7#a7 ,hearings ,the ,task ,force may-- 7,a7 hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places1 take such testimony1 receive such evidence as determined by the ,chair and ,vice ,chair1 and administer such oaths as the ,task ,force or a designated member1 as determined by the ,chair or ,vice ,chair1 may determine advisable to be necessary to carry out the functions of the ,task ,force2 and 7,b7 subject to paragraph 7#b77;,a71 require1 by subpoena or otherwise1 the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books1 records1 correspondence1 memoranda1 papers1 and documents1 as the person described in paragraph 7#b77;,a77i7 may determine advisable4 7#b7 ,subpoenas 7,a7 ,issuance 7i7 ,in general ,a subpoena may be issued under this subsection only-- 7,i7 by the agreement of the ,chair and the ,vice ,chair2 or 7,,ii7 by the affirmative vote of not less than #i members of the ,task ,force4 7ii7 ,signature ,subpoenas issued under this subsection may be issued under the signature of the ,chair or any member designated by a majority of the ,task ,force1 and may be served by any person designated by the ,chair or by a member designated by agreement of the majority of the ,task ,force4 7,b7 ,enforcement ,in the case of contumacy or failure to obey a subpoena issued under subsection1 the ,united ,states district court for the judicial district in which the subpoenaed person resides1 is served1 or may be found1 or where the subpoena is returnable1 may issue an order requiring such person to appear at any designated place to testify or to produce documentary or other evidence4 ,any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of that court4 7#c7 ,contracting ,the ,task ,force may1 to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation ,acts1 enter into contracts to enable the ,task ,force to discharge its duties under this ,act4 7#d7 ,information from federal agencies 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,task ,force may access from any executive department1 bureau1 agency1 board1 commission1 office1 independent establishment1 or instrumentality of the ,federal ,government1 such information1 documents1 suggestions1 estimates1 and statistics as the ,task ,force considers necessary to carry out this section4 7,b7 ,provision of information ,on written request of the ,chair1 each department1 bureau1 agency1 board1 commission1 office1 independent establishment1 or instrumentality shall1 to the extent authorized by law1 provide such information to the ,task ,force4 7,c7 ,receipt1 handling1 storage1 and dissemination ,information shall only be received1 handled1 stored1 and disseminated by members of the ,task ,force and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes1 regulations1 and executive orders4 7#e7 ,assistance from ,federal agencies 7,a7 ,general services administration ,on request of the ,chair and ,vice ,chair1 the ,administrator of the ,general ,services ,administration shall provide to the ,task ,force1 on a reimbursable basis1 administrative support and other assistance necessary for the ,task ,force to carry out its duties4 7,b7 ,other departments and agencies ,in addition to the assistance provided for in subparagraph 7,a71 departments and agencies of the ,united ,states may provide to the ,task ,force such assistance as such departments and agencies may determine advisable and as authorized by law4 7#f7 ,donations ,the ,task ,force may accept1 use1 and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property4 ,not later than #e days after the acceptance of a donation under this subsection1 the ,task ,force shall publicly disclose-- 7,a7 the name of the entity that provided such donation2 7,b7 the service or property provided through such donation2 7,c7 the value of such donation2 and 7,d7 how the ,task ,force plans to use such donation4 7#g7 ,postal services ,the ,task ,force may use the ,united ,states mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as a department or agency of the ,united ,states4 7f7 ,applicability of ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 shall apply to the ,task ,force4 7#b7 ,public meetings and release of public versions of reports ,the ,task ,force shall-- 7,a7 hold public hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate2 and 7,b7 release public versions of the reports required under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7j74 7#c7 ,public hearings ,any public hearings of the ,task ,force shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the ,task ,force as required by any applicable statute1 regulation1 or ,executive order4 7g7 ,staff of ,task ,force 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,appointment and compensation ,the ,chair of the ,task ,force1 in agreement with the ,vice ,chair1 in accordance with rules agreed upon by the ,task ,force1 may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the ,task ,force to carry out its functions1 without regard to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service1 and without regard to the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of such title relating to classification and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except that no rate of pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable for a position at level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecaf of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7,b7 ,personnel as ,federal employees 7i7 ,in general ,the staff director and any personnel of the ,task ,force who are employees shall be employees under section #baje of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 for purposes of chapters #fc1 #ha1 #hc1 #hd1 #he1 #hg1 #hi1 and #ij of that title4 7ii7 ,members of task force ,clause 7i7 shall not be construed to apply to members of the ,task ,force4 7#b7 ,detailees ,upon request of the ,chair and ,vice ,chair of the ,task ,force1 the head of any executive department1 bureau1 agency1 board1 commission1 office1 independent establishment1 or instrumentality of the ,federal ,government employee may detail1 without reimbursement1 any of its personnel to the ,task ,force to assist in carrying out its duties under this section4 ,any such detailee shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege4 7#c7 ,consultant services ,the ,task ,force is authorized to procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section #caji of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 but at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level ,,iv of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecae of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7h7 ,compensation and travel expenses ,each member of the ,task ,force shall serve without compensation1 but shall receive travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7i7 ,security clearances for task force members and staff ,the appropriate ,federal agencies or departments shall cooperate with the ,task ,force in expeditiously providing to the ,task ,force members and staff appropriate security clearances1 consistent with existing procedures and requirements4 ,no person shall be provided with access to classified information under this section without the appropriate security clearances4 7j7 ,reports of ,task ,force2 termination 7#a7 ,interim report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,task ,force shall submit to the ,president1 the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives an interim report containing such findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations as have been agreed to by not less than #h members of the ,task ,force4 ,such interim report shall be made available online in a manner that does not compromise national security4 7#b7 ,final ,report 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date on which the last member of the ,task ,force is appointed1 the ,task ,force shall submit to the ,president1 the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives a final report containing such findings1 conclusions1 and recommendations as have been agreed to by not less than #h members of the ,task ,force4 ,the final report shall be made available online in a manner that does not compromise national security4 7,b7 ,extensions 7i7 ,in general ,the submission and publication of the final report1 as described in subparagraph 7,a71 may be delayed by #f months upon the agreement of not less than #h members of the ,task ,force4 7ii7 ,notification ,the ,task ,force shall notify the ,president1 the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the public of any extension granted under clause 7i74 7,c7 ,special rules and considerations 7i7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorizing the ,task ,force to publicly disclose information otherwise prohibited from disclosure by law4 7ii7 ,special timing considerations ,notwithstanding any other provision of this section1 the ,task ,force shall not publish or make available any interim or final report during the #fj-;day periods ending ,november #e1 #bjbd1 and ,november #c1 #bjbf4 7#c7 ,termination 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,task ,force1 and all the authorities of this section1 shall terminate #fj days after the date on which the final report is submitted under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,administrative activities before termination ,the ,task ,force may use the #fj-;day period referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 for the purpose of concluding its activities1 including providing testimony to committees of ,congress concerning its reports and disseminating the final report4 7k7 ,funding 7#a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4 7#b7 ,duration of availability ,amounts made available to the ,task ,force under paragraph 7#a7 shall remain available until the termination of the ,task ,force4