Mr. Burgess will you yield for parliamentary inquiry . Ms. Eshoo i want to do my Opening Statement. Pardon me. I already recognized myself but afterward. Ize you i never thought id be holding or that we would be under the sad ng circumstances, but i think its one. Essary pain. Untry is in americans are afraid. Sick. E theyre hungry and jobless. Nd over 80,000 souls have been lost. And the government that was supposed to protect them has failed. There are heroes and they have isen, extraordinary, ordinary americans showing courage, compassion, and a sense of and duty beyond what could have or should have them. Sked of regular americans have risen not. Their leaders have we are the greatest country on earth, and, yet, we have the cases and the most deaths in covid19 of any nation the world. Why . The inept, ineffective and extremely late to what was pond clear to many scientists and in ic Health Experts january. Hat basic delay cost precious lives and is continuing to cost lives. Theant have a system where price paid is unconscionable. Daughters. Ing daughters losing fathers. Because of incompetent, denial, and a disorganized response. Of those who ired bear the responsibility it while none of deflecting blame on others, the administration, the World Health Organization, the but where anywhere the blame belongs. Second, the United States has remains dangerously dependent on Foreign Countries supply of critical lifesaving drugs and lifesaving masks, gloves, p. P. E. And ventilators. Our result, we cant treat own people without relying on supply us. Thers to e cant outfit our first responders, our hospital workers, our nurses, our doctors. Care for our own nation in crisis. A national is security issue. I want to thank the gentlewoman indiana, mrs. Brooks, for to bipartisan work with me address the drug supply chain issue as well as other members a bipartisan basis for their as slation on those issues well. Today, were going to hear about the disastrous federal response approaching pandemic. Of the ht has filed one most specific and troubling histleblower complaints ive ever seen. He was the right person with the right udgment at the time. He was not only ignored, he was right. Or being we cant have a system where the who get t fires those it right and reward those who wrong. Completely mr. Michael bowen, the executive of prestige t amayor tech will speak about the ill speak crippling dependence on foreign critical supplies, a National Security issue. A terrible is paying price today. And it rests on congress to threat where any effort of an adversary can cut lifesaving ly of drugs and supplies. Lifeline. And this would create a Health Care Disaster on a scale never before. Ced i bear this responsibility as every member of congress. This subcommittee has over our countrys most prestigious health care f. D. A. , n. I. H. , c. D. C. , and barda. To listen. We have to learn. Together for rk the people of our country who so, so much. Egardless of inconvenient truths. Finally, i regret the secretary robert kadlic, and dr. All refused have to testify today. I now ask for a moment of of the over nor 80,000 americans who have lost their lives from covid19. The chair now recognizes r. Burgess before im recognized for an Opening Statement, i wonder if i can be ecognized for a parliamentary inquiry. Ms. Eshoo the gentleman is parliamentary his inquiry. Mr. Burgess id like clarification before us today, this witness testifying as a government witness or as an individual . Ms. Eshoo dr. Bright is a federal as employee. Correct . Representing he is a ederal employee representing himself. The ranking ze member of the subcommittee. Madam chair, just to question. Normally we have name plates identifying whos at the table dr. Bright, know of course, but im not sure him. Next to ms. Eshoo youre correct. I dont know why we dont have name plates. Cament notice that when i in the hearing room. Can the staff provide them . Can there any way the staff can them . E can. Nk we mr. Walden thank you. Would like to so inform the members that dr. Attorney, deborah katz, is at the table. Microphone. Ted a she is not here as a witness. Asking her ot be questions. Simply here to represent her client. To recognize ke the Ranking Member of the dr. Burgess, for his five minutes for an Opening Statement. Thank the chair and the energy and commerce, particularly the subcommittee on premiere Health Subcommittee in the congress. Jurisdiction. D a long standing tradition of tackling Important Health care bipartisan manner. I personally, like our witness oday, have been very, very concerned. In fact, sounding the alarm about this Novel Coronavirus january. So i ask, why is this the first fficial hearing that were hearing on this topic . Disappointment would be an understatement. Not only disappointment but im oncerned that it took five months to have a hearing on this Novel Coronavirus instead of ackling any of the issues suggested in the letters that that i sent to you this week, a whistleblower complaint that is only a proper ld before investigation. In these letters, i outlined the importance of addressing the stockpile, tional covid19s impact on Mental Health, testing. We should have a hearing on testing. Acial disparities and provide relief. The lack of attention to these details are detrimental to our nations overall response to pandemic and it is the responsibility of this house and his responsibility of this committee. We continue to stand on the sidelines. Nstead of becoming fully engaged. Every whistleblower deserves to heard. Dr. Bright has raised serious llegations, and they deserve investigation. Whistleblowers must have their deserve to cted and have their allegations investigated with policies and been long that have established and upheld as and fair. T cnn m chair, on april 23, reported that you planned to call dr. Bright to testify. Fileright did not actually his whistleblower complaint with the office of special counsel 5. Il tuesday, may that same day it was announced on social media that you planned it was a hearing, but not officially noticed until two days later. The office of 8, special counsel recommended that dr. Bright be temporarily of stated as director arreda barda so they could thoroughly conduct its investigation and move forward with the usual processes of whistleblower complaints. Despite the hearing memo, no final determination of the of the whistleblower statute has actually been made. A robust investigation process, the customary setting for a whistleblower hearing our energy and Commerce Committee under the nder oath in the Office Oversight and investigation subcommittee. To say this hearing is premature, and it is a to the investigation of dr. Brights complaint i goes without saying. You trampled on minority rights. You would have never tolerated in the n you were minority. You neglected the tradition of this committee and in the manner this hearing was called. Number of procedural fouls committed in advance of this hearing would certainly have led chair to a foul in multiple games. All apparently in a World Without sports, this subcommittee has become political sport. 80,000 american lives have been lost to this pandemic. It continues to wreak havoc on communities, not only in terms of physical health but Mental Health and certainly financial health. Should be conducting a hearing on the realtime the pandemic of allhaza preparedness and advancing act and we should have done it in february. To democratic counterpart the primary officer, dr. Susan chair, shouldadam have a great interest in holding such a hearing. In my district, weve seen amongst young africanamericans from covid19. About a new phenomenon of very young are dying from an intense inflammatory response sparked by infection with this virus. Of hould hear from some these families and the medical professionals to analyze why his virus has disproportionately affected some communities, particularly minority communities. Before, not all heroes wear capes. Hospitals, doctors, other health are on the rs frontlines every day battling this virus. They go to work so we can stay very which weve done successfully. The inability to conduct nonessential procedures and to financial harm to our hospitals and doctors, and country s preparing to ease back into roviding medical care is the distribution of the Provider Relief Fund in the cares act working . We e are the questions should be asking experts today. I appreciate chairman pallone telephone briefings since we have our own questions. I will say, this pandemic is health of our c nation. I thank you for your commitment to hold future hearings on the stockpile, tional Mental Health and racial disparities. Im happy to help you set the rest of the year. I hope you will commit to additional hearings on testing relief fund. Der and i request that my letters and your responses be part of the record. Back. D ms. Eshoo the gentleman yields. Back. Ntleman yields i think the gentleman will ecall that i called for a hearing on january 30, and on that, it was to be fauci, alldlick, dr. The heads of our health it was secretary azar that said they cannot come. Top person. And when i come, they will come with me. 30. Hat was january mr. Burgess madam chair, versight and Government Reform Committee for two days. Ms. Eshoo im not finished yet. m not finished yet, dr. Burgess. Youve written several letters week, and i last communicated to you, im happy review own with you to and to come up with all the that this hearings subcommittee should hold. On we will Work Together that. We have a lot of work to do. Right. Absolutely the stockpile, testing, the list s as long as pennsylvania avenue. So we will Work Together on that, rest assured. Id like to recognize the chairman of the full committee, his five e, for minutes for an Opening Statement. You, madam thank chair. Thank you, ms. Eshoo, for initiating this hearing and your energy into it so that were here today with dr. Bright. We are here as part of the energy and Commerce Committees ngoing work to confront the largest Public Health and economic kriers of our crisis ofr life our lifetimes. More than 80,000 americans have lives. Eir 36 million lost their jobs as of today. This is a National Emergency ekt of res afters a every aspect of government ofether to reduce the spread this terrible virus so we can confidently reopen our economy. And congress ent worked together to enact four laws to provide economic to the American People, new laws are simply not enough. Resident trump and his administration have failed to provide the consistent and stable leadership that is our nation guide through this Public Health and economic crisis. For months, the president has mixed messages and misinformation to the American People, creating confusion the nation. Instead of showing leadership, competence and vision in a time crisis, the administration has absent indicated its responsibility and forced states themselves and find their own way out of this pandemic. While states and frontline workers were pleading for personal protective equipment, testing supplies and protect them s to and their patients, President Trumps response was to let out on the open market. For months, the president has refused to develop and implement National Testing program. For months weve been promised tests were right around the corner. Promise is hollow. Esting is Getting Better but nowhere where it needs to be. The president proclaimed about testing earlier this week, and i we have met the moment and we have prevailed. That could not be further from truth, mr. President. Dr. Rick bright, the former barda, has come forward as a whistleblower and made serious allegations ncluding a lack of urgency by Administration Officials to respond to the virus. Mismanagement and failure to supplies and ary disregard for Public Health and scientific integrity. Lie at s his claims the heart of this committees concerns regarding the thenistrations response to covid19 pandemic. Were here today to hear the who istive of dr. Bright positioned to discuss the administrations preparations pandemic. Se to this now, the failures weve seen simply cannot persist. Energy and he Commerce Committee continues to onduct robust oversight and to propose bold legislative solutions of. Weve been demanding answers administration on testing, Contact Tracing, the supply chain, food safety, and he safety of Food Production workers and attempts undermine science and Public Health. To receive ave yet any sufficient responses from this Trump Administration. Legislation, congress has already passed four major Coronavirus Response packages by the work roved of this committee. Nd now with the sense of urgency, earlier this week we act, which heroes will be voted on tomorrow by the house. It continues our ongoing commitment by providing the resources and support needed to combat the coronavirus crisis. Strengthen ion will testing and Contact Tracing by finally requiring the administration to develop plans with clear benchmarks and timelines and public reporting of key metrics. This will allow transparency so we can see if the trump itsnistration is fulfilling promises and hold them accountable if theyre not. To lso provide 75 billion support robust testing, Contact Tracing, surveillance, and activities. This is beyond the 25 that was in the last bill. Beat this ly cannot virus without these efforts in place. Our legislation also ensures all covid19 treatments, drug, and vaccines are free of patients. The bill will help shore up our Public Health infrastructure for the long road ahead. The health rity is and safety of the American People. The heroes act builds on the progress we have made and lays foundation we will need to ease social distancing and reopen the economy. So i just want to thank dr. Bright for coming forward and for being here today. Want to thank you, madam chair, for bringing him here. Im hopeful this hearing will elp us better understand the failures of the Trump Administration so that ollectively we can find solutions that will help us finally get a handle on this virus. Its the only way well be able protect the American People nd safely and competently reopen our communities. I thank you, madam chair, and i yield back. S. Eshoo the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon, the anking member of the full committee, mr. Walden. Mr. Walden thank you very much, madam chair. And before before i use my have just a parliamentary question for you. That. Would yield to madam chair. Ms. Eshoo state your inquiry. Tary mr. Walden i know were operating under really unusual conditions. We are. O mr. Walden because of the masks affects the layout of the room. Do investigative hearings there is a script about whether an individual is whether ed by counsel, they want that counsel represented. I got that script. He reason im asking is were not in o. N. I. , but it is have rdinarily unusual to government witness as an individual with private counsel table and with a microphone. To get m just trying claire if clarification for future precedent setting for Committee Reason im he only asking this. He obviously has counsel. We should follow the protocol thats prescribed for the versight and Investigation Committee in similar circumstances. Ms. Eshoo well, i think this is that this we have another first here. Dr. Bright came in this orning with his attorney, she requested the microphone. I extended they, microphone to her. Mr. Walden yeah, sure. S. Eshoo now, shes not a witness. She will not we are not going to ask her questions. Simply is accompanying her client. So i dont is it a problem . Mr. Walden i dont have that. Ion to any of can i read you what this text is and maybe that resolves it . This is not o , and i. Need to ggesting we follow what o and i does . Saying that the witness is not here in his whistleblowing capacity is what im told, what you communicated, but this is his personal attorney, if im correct, and we i know who you are but we have not identified that for the record. In o and i, as you now, you ask if the if the witness wants to be accompanied by counsel, they respond yes or no. Counsel is allowed to move forward, sit at the table, and then the question is asked, give testimony or not and if so raise your hand, here. All im doing we dont usually do this type of activity in this in the other committees. And we are not usually set up this way but because ms. Eshoo would you like to ask he mr. Walden i think we all to precedent. Future ms. Eshoo its a good suggestion. Mr. Walden we are all learning how to operate in this environment. Ms. Eshoo all right. The gentleman is recognized for his five minutes for an Opening Statement. R. Walden well ms. Eshoo you dont think its resolved . Mr. Walden are we going to ask if he wants to be represented by who the counsel is . Ms. Eshoo dr. Bright, do you ish to be rep