Steube Introduces Bill to Hold China Financially Responsible for COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17) introduced the Chinese Government COVID-19 Accountability Act. This legislation will hold China financially responsible for the detrimental economic impact of COVID-19 on the American economy.
“The Chinese government’s failure to be transparent with global leaders about the Coronavirus outbreak is not only costing thousands of lives but also is causing serious economic harm for millions of Americans and businesses,” Steube commented. “We should not have to pay for China’s mistakes financially. This virus has already cost us enough.“
This legislation will direct the President to develop a strategy to hold the Chinese government responsible for the initiation and spread of COVID-19 and will require the Chinese government to be financially responsible for costs associated with the overall economic impact on the United States caused by COVID-19. Among some of the reimbursements the Chinese government will be required to pay include $100 million to the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), over $105 million to the United States Department of Health & Human Services, $2.5 billion from the Administration’s appropriation request, and the $8.3 billion in funding from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act.
