Senate Democrats Introduce STOP Act To Investigate Political Interference In U.S. Government COVID-19 Response; House Democrats Seek Investigation Into Diversion Of Pentagon Money Meant For Coronavirus

POLITICO: Senate Democrats introduce bill to investigate political interference in Covid-19 response
“Senate Democrats want to create a task force to investigate any political interference in government health agencies’ coronavirus response. Legislation introduced Tuesday would create a task force within the Pandemic Response and Accountability Committee — an independent body created by the CARES Act — to investigate what Democrats argue are clear examples of the Trump administration impeding scientific work by agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…” (Lim, 9/22).

Washington Post: Democrats seek investigation into Pentagon’s coronavirus fund following Washington Post article
“Congressional Democrats sharply criticized a Defense Department decision to repurpose a $1 billion coronavirus fund into an economic stimulus for defense contractors, a change the lawmakers say violated congressional intent. Two lawmakers asked for an investigation and public hearings on the matter following a Washington Post article that revealed the change. The funds, set aside under the Cares Act economic stimulus package passed in March, were given to the Pentagon to ‘prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.’ But the Defense Department decided to divert most of that funding toward long-standing defense concerns such as drone technology, body armor, and dress uniforms. … Reps. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) called for a formal investigation reviewing the legality of the Defense Department’s decision to use any of the coronavirus funding for defense industry stimulus…” (Gregg/Torbati, 9/22).

Additional coverage of Senate Democrats’ STOP Act is available from The Hill.

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