Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger have sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, urging the Biden administration to cease using federal funds to purchase COVID-19 at-home tests from companies based in Communist China. The lawmakers expressed concern over the use of taxpayer dollars to buy tests manufactured by companies that have foreign ownership, including one Chinese company that may be under the influence of the Chinese Communist Party.

In their letter, Senator Scott and Congresswoman Harshbarger emphasized the need to prioritize American companies and manufacturing to protect the health and well-being of American families. They highlighted the announcement made by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in September 2023, stating that $600 million would be allocated for the purchase of COVID-19 tests. While HHS named 12 companies as recipients of the contract, it was discovered that some of these companies have foreign ownership, including a Chinese company.

The lawmakers stressed that it is not sufficient for the U.S. government to purchase COVID-19 tests without considering their country of origin or corporate ownership structure. They called for careful scrutiny of every taxpayer dollar spent and urged the Biden administration to ensure that no funds are used to purchase tests manufactured in Communist China or produced by Chinese companies.

Senator Scott and Congresswoman Harshbarger underscored the responsibility of the federal government to support American manufacturers and condemned the actions of the Chinese Communist Party in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted the Chinese Communist Party's initial deception and subsequent cover-up of the origins of the virus, calling it a "deadly virus" unleashed on the American people. The lawmakers expressed concern that purchasing COVID-19 tests manufactured in Communist China would directly support the Chinese regime.

In their letter, Senator Scott and Congresswoman Harshbarger requested an immediate response from Secretary Becerra, seeking assurance that no American tax dollars will be spent on COVID-19 tests manufactured in Communist China or by Chinese entities. They also asked for detailed information on how the planned purchase of $600 million in antigen tests will support U.S. manufacturing and American companies.

The lawmakers expressed disappointment with the Biden administration's previous decision to purchase COVID-19 at-home tests manufactured in China and raised concerns about the administration's continued policy of procuring tests from a Chinese-owned company.

Senator Scott and Congresswoman Harshbarger concluded the letter by stating their expectation of a response from Secretary Becerra on this important issue. They emphasized the importance of working together to fight against COVID-19, support American jobs, and hold Communist China accountable for the consequences of the pandemic.

The full letter can be found [here](insert link).

Sincerely,

Senator Rick Scott and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/11/sen-rick-scott-rep-diana-harshbarger-to-hhs-secretary-stop-buying-covid-tests-from-communist-chinese-companies