6 comes at a critical moment. The number of coronavirus cases are surging topping 50,000 per day for the first time july 1 and setting alarming records for new cases over the past week. Dr. Anthony fauci recently warned that u. S. Cases could double to 100,000 per day if current outbreaks in the south and west are not contained, putting the entire country at risk. As the infections spiral out of control President Trump has tried to downplay the impact of covid19, calling 99 of cases totally harmless even as more than 130,000 americans have died and many more have become seriously ill. Claimed the u. S. S death rate is the lowest in the world. When in fact, it is among the highest. Unfortunately, the president s this week he claimed its the lowest death rate in the world but its really the highest. The response has been an abject failure by any reasonable measure and he ignored early intelligence on the virus and continues to disregard the opinions of doctors and scientists including those in his own administration and perpetuates misinformation about covid19 rather than allowing the experts to speak directly to the American People about the disease. Just yesterday, congress received notification that the president has begun the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization in the midst of a pandemic endangering Global Health against our own interests. The president has shirked his administrations responsibility to prepare and respond to the pandemic and his own obligation to the nation in a time of crisis. Shifting the burden to state and local governments and the people and the American People. The effect of american lives lost and damage to our economy have been devastating. The United States currently has 20 of the worlds coronavirus cases despite having only 4 of the worlds population. As the countries are bringing their outbreaks under control, u. S. Cases are headed in the opposite direction. N. Meanwhile, President Trump continues to deny the severity of the problem and is instead focus on his own meanwhile, President Trump is focused on his own campaign. Many state local governments, Public Health officials, hospitals and medical workers are doing the best they can under the circumstances. But we need real leadership at the federal level if our country is to overcome the covid19 pandemic. Today well hear from those who have taken action where the administration has failed to do so, a governor, a mayor, a Public Health official and an emergency manager. They are in many ways on the frontlines of this worsening pandemic of obtaining p. P. E. s and testing supplies requiring masks and social distancing and sounds the alarm about the devastating effects of this disease on minorities and economically disadvantaged communities. Masks and social distancing, and something the alarm about the devastating effects of this disease on the community. The American People are counting on us. I think the witnesses in my colleagues who are participating today. The chair now recognizes the Ranking Member of the committee, the gentleman from alabama, mr. Rogers, for an opening statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. As you know, i strongly disagree toh the unilateral decision shut down the house of representatives. We should be doing our legislative business here in washington. We are much more productive when members are here in person doing our work together. We have always proven that we can do it safely. I hope we will return to regular work as soon as possible. As ive said before, our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones to the covid19. And those were currently undergoing treatment. Covid19 is an unprecedented Global Pandemic that requires unprecedented response. Earlyunately, we lost when china had the disease from the world. For weeks, the communist party refuse entry outside of medical as part medical experts. China deliberately withheld itsence of the virus, structure, and deadly spread. During this, the chinese warded lifesaving medical supplies supplies andal encouraged travel, spreading the virus around the world. Pulledlear that chinas out all the stops to manipulate everyone, from media outlets, to the World Health Organization. China probably selfreported over 19. They did not. After months of line, the who has come clean. They now said they found out about covid media reports and whistleblowers from within china. The Chinese Communist party once again has been caught with blood on their hands. An extra kerry Public Health crisis, the Trump Administration has reported the administration has prohibited the entry from hotspots. Delivery ofated the respirators, masks, and gloves. Over 500 billion dollars in ppp loans. Provided over 36 million tests. 700,000onducting over tests per day. That is good news. The number ofs, positive tests are rising in every state. It is important to continue to heed the advice of our government and local health officials. General hastings serves as a director of alabamas [indiscernible] agency. He has a very distinguished 30career in the air force. He has done a tremendous job leading the emas response through several disasters, loading covid19. I was she did i appreciate all the witnesses for appearing. [indiscernible] what more congress can do effectively. Our country has faced outbreaks in the past. In each case, we have showed our collective resources and ingenuity to overcome the crisis. I am hopeful that will be the case with covid19. Thank you, chairman. I yield back. I cannot hear the chairman. I cant, either. Now . N you hear me yes. Excellent. Members of the committee are reminded that under the Committee Rules, Opening Statements may be submitted for the record. I will yield to the Ranking Member for the purposes of clinically of cologne look we. Practices will continue to apply during this remote proceeding. Members will continue to adhere to the rules of the committee and the house. Asing the covid period, designated by the speaker, the follow theill guidance and a manner that respects the right of all members to participate. The technology we are utilizing today requires us to make some small modifications to ensure that the members can fully participate in these proceedings. Thank you, mr. Chairman. How will the members be recognized during the preceding . Semper fi the order of questioning, to simplify the order of questioning, i will recognize members for their five minutes of questioning based on a strict seniority basis, as determined by the committee roster. A departure from previous procedure. Members must be visible to the chair in order to be considered as present, for purposes of establishing a quorum or for voting. Members should make every effort to remain visible onscreen while proceedings during the preceding during the proceedings. At the beginning of this hearing, members are muted. Unmute themselves to be recognized for questioning. At the conclusion of speaking, members will be expected to mute themselves to prevent excess background noise. If a member does not mute themselves after speaking, the clerk has been directed to mute members to avoid inadvertent background noise. Should a member wish to be recognized to make a motion, themselves ande seek recognition at the appropriate time. What could a member expect should they encounter technical issues during this event . In the event a member encounters technical issues that prevents them from being recognized for questioning, i will move to the next available member of the same party, and i will recognize that member at the next appropriate time slot, provided they have returned to the preceding. To the member should the members time be interrupted by a technical issue, i will recognize that member at the next appropriate spot for the remainder of their time once the issue has been resolved. If i should encounter technical issues myself, the vice chair of the committee is available, or the next most Senior Member of shall assume the duties until i am able to return to the proceedings. What should members expect regarding decorum . Members are reminded that they are only allowed to attend one Virtual Event at a time. Should they need to attend proceeding,ittee please come a fully accept hearing before entering another proceeding. Finally, all members are reminded, they are expected to observe standing rules of committee decorum, appropriate attire, and should have a professional and a political background when they are participating in a remote event. What should members expected the witness loses connectivity expect if the witness loses connectivity . In the event a witness loses connectivity during testimony or questioning, i will preserve assessed as staff technical issue. I may need to provide time for the win for the witness to reconnect. What should members expect of a vote is called during a remote event . Members are to be visibly present to have their vote recorded during a remote event. Members who join the preceding after this call and who are not called upon for their vote shall seek recognition from the chair to ensure their vote is recorded. Should a member lose connectivity during a rollcall vote, i will hold the vote open riod of time to provide members to have their opportunity to have their vote recorded. Thank you, mr. Chairman, i yield back. With that, i asked unanimous consent to with Committee Rule proceedings,emote on the House Resolution 965. Without objection, so ordered. I welcome our panel of witnesses. A yield to the vice chair of the underwood, of illinois, to introduce our first witness. First witness is the governor of the great state of illinois, Governor Pritzker. Mr. Pritzker was a National Leader [indiscernible] for over his degreed earned from northwestern university. We are so glad to have him on the panel today to assess his experience leading a state of nearly 13 Million People through this challenging time, including one of the largest cities in the country, as well as extensive suburban and rural areas with very different needs. Back in march, we heard the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. I am looking forward to getting an update today from Governor Pritzker. Welcome, governor. I yield back. Thank you very much. Our second witnesses the mayor of tupelo, mississippi. For those of you who are on here who might not know, Elvis Presley was born in tupelo, mississippi. After practicing law in tupelo, mississippi for more than a ticket, mr. Shelton was elected mayor in 2013. The city of tupelo received the 2015 allamerican city award. Welcome, mr. Mayor. Since we have two members of the panel from houston, texas, i yield first to the gentlewoman from houston, mr. X and light and after that, i yield from the gentleman from houston, texas, also, to finish that introduction. Thank you very much to the Committee Members and the Ranking Member come all of the witnesses, thank you for your presence. Is the executive director and of all health the countys Public Health says 2013. He is a nationally recognized agency of 700 Public Health professionals serving the nation. He has been a strong, important, and interesting but provocative messenger on the importance of Health Challenges throughout the nation and around the world. We worked together on the issues around the zika virus, Environmental Health threats, contamination. He has been a strong voice in the needs of the county as a relates to covid19. Study andston houston, the most important title a person can have his doctor or nurse. With theen involved care of patients as it relates to the Harris County health. He previously worked as an Emergency Department physician at houstons Va Medical Center and chief medical officer of the health district. We are very delighted to have dr. Shaw, a voice of leadership and guidance during houstons very difficult time fighting covid19. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. I now yield to the gentleman from houston, texas, to complete the introduction. Unmute yourself. The gentleman believe he has done so. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you to the staff for the outstanding job you have done with this transmission. Think we have done except exceptionally fine job. One of the hallmarks of dr. Shaws career is that he gets involved. He responds. He responded to Tropical Storm allison, Hurricane Katrina and haiti. He responded to the ebola virus and zika. He has served as a medical branch coal director and did so what a time when in my district, we had some 27,000 persons move from louisiana, my home state, myhouston, texas, into congressional district. He was there for the evacuees at the astrodome. I am happy to have him. We are pleased to know he served our constituents in the state of texas and a directly across the country. Thank you for being here, mr. Shaw, dr. Shaw. Thank you for your involvement. The final witness acknowledged by the Ranking Member is colonel brian hastings, the director of alabama Emergency Management agency. Since august, 2017, colonel hastings rigorously served in the United States air force over 30 years. Medals,hastings earned the bronze star, and three Meritorious Service medals. Welcome to the panel, colonel. Witnessesjection, the statements will be inserted into the record. I ask each witness to summarize their statement for five minutes , beginning with Governor Pritzker. Gov. Pritzker thank you very much, mr. Chairman. , members of the committee, thank you for the invitation to testify about our National Response to the ongoing covid19 pandemic. Sixth most the populous state with the fifthlargest economy. We have some of the worlds as hospitals, like northwestern memorial. We have renowned researchers, modelers, Public Health experts, and worldclass institutions like the university of illinois and chicago. Phenomenons not a limited to asia or [indiscernible] we fully expected the federal and the department of Health Services would arm the states with equipment and personnel. After the experience of h1n1, ebola, a pandemic requires a National Response, but that is not what happened. First, i want to talk about what did happen. We took action here early, with illinoiss hospital leaders, a pretty me on ledges illinoi hospital leaders, epidemiologists quickly helping to the plans together. We were among the first states to close Nursing Homes to visitors and do wellness checks on the staff. In consultation with local officials, i shut down st. Andicks day celebrations, then i closed the bars and restaurants, than schools. Then schools. The federal government was not leading. We were. Illinois is home to the countrys thirdlargest metropolitan area and is a major tourism sector. We had all the potential to become a major early hotspot, like new york, florida, and texas have now become. Intervention, our Health Care System would be overwhelmed. Leading to tens of thousands more deaths. Ked approximately six weeks later. Today, our covenrelated deaths relatedn 85 covid deaths are down 85 from a few weeks ago. 71 covid cases are down from a high nine weeks ago. The number of covid positive hospitalizations, including in the icu, has dropped by over 70 since early may. Our kiss Positivity Rate was over 23 at one point. Our Positivity Rate was over 23 at one point. The cascade of decisions that guided illinois to this point were easy. In fact, every one of them has been a choice between bad and worse. The whiterther by houses broken promises on supplies and ppe deliveries. I spoke with many of my fellow governors they had the same problems. The defense production act was not broadly invoked early enough. We were in a war for lifesaving supplies against each other, and against our international allies. We were paying five dollars for masks that should have cost . 85. There were states calling other states to try and figure out if some International Businessman offering a warehouse of 2 was a scammer. Ks in the midst of a global were forcedates into some hunger games game show to save the lives of their people. This is not a reality tv show, let me be clear. These are things happening in year 2020. The if the government has one job, it is to respond to a lifethreatening emergency. When this emergency is crashing down on every state at once, that is a national emergency, and it requires a National Response. Professionals across the nation are crying out for supplies. It is a federal governments job to mature a nurse is properly equipped and pr area, illinois, not at the cost of a doctor in san antonio, texa