The hearing was held amid ongoing concerns from u. S. Lawmakers w. H. O. It was was impy influenced by china through the covid19 pandemic. This is about two and half hours. It was not. [background noises] these select a subcommittee of the coronavirus pandemic will come to order but want to welcome everyone here today. Without objection the chairman to clear recess at any time. I now recognize myself for the purpose of making an opening statement. Today the select subcommittee is holding a hearing to examine the future of the World Health Organization. And our relationship with the w. H. O. The World Health Organization is supposed to be the preeminent organization that governs just that, the worlds health. Played a key role in eradicating smallpox and is significantly reduced in the cases of polio around the globe. And yet when the world was faced with the outbreak of covid19 and the pandemic we saw w. H. O. Does not always serve all of its members equally. We saw its not an organization that serves all of humankind but instead perhaps an organization that became beholding tosa oriet trapped in politics. List most essential w. H. O. Be able to step up and help everyone, it seems to have bowed to political affiliations over Global Public health. When w. H. O. Should have been conducting independent investigations into the origins of covid at 19th and present in the Global Community with verified information to help keep them safe, we instead saw they ignored some facts and impaired back statements that came from the chinese, and his party. We saw w. H. O. Deny covid19 was spread via human to human transmission based entirely on the word of the Chinese Government. W. H. O. Delayed naming covid19 a Public Health emergency of International Concern for World Health Organization procedure amongst other things would have allowed for the procurement and distribution of scarcee supplie. A World Health Organization procedure that, amongst other things, would have allowed for the procurement and distribution of scarce supplies. All because the Chinese Communist party told them to the spread was under control. The w. H. O. Delayed serious measures to counter the global spread of covid19, because the ccp was only worried about their own bottom line. When the w. H. O. Produced a report evaluating the possible origins of covid 19, it became unquestionably evident that the entire report was nothing more than chinese propaganda. I have some considerable concerns about that. The ccp was so entrenched in influencing whos investigation into the origins of covid that they even contacted me with unanimous consent i wish to submit to the record an email sent to me by the Chinese Embassy, so ordered. This email from the Chinese Embassy is another attempt to interfere with the investigations of covid. The letter stated weve expressed our grave concern regarding the covid19 origins hearing. We firmly oppose it. This communication and action hardly expresses clear correspondence. The w. H. O. s lack of investigation potentially allowed the pandemic to be worse and spread further than it could have been. Not necessarily their fault. Theres no denying it. The w. H. O. Stumbled out of the gate. The subcommittee is as much about looking back as it is looking forward and preparing for the future. We must be better prepared when the next pandemic surfaces. And the scientifically focused w. H. O. Is paramount for that. Its evident that the w. H. O. Is in need of some reform. So why not take an opportunity to ask the very people who are in the trenches how we can help them, why not ask direct sources what you can do right now to equip future generations should there be an independent body that is able to conduct oversight, how can the ideal methods of data sharing and development be implemented across the world . What we do know is that the w. H. O. Needs to be reestablished with raised expectations of transparency, verifiability and accountability. Accountability amongst its members as well. Running any public Health Organization in a political manner destroy itac is organizations credibility. The w. H. O. Needs to police its members and now coward behind police, the w. H. O. Should have been in the position to tell the world that china was lie if they were lying. The fact that it didnt do so until later is very telling. Honesty is always nonnegotiables especially once in a generation. These changesne must ensure american interests are protected. They must not violate International Sovereignty and they must hold china and others accountable. Further any accord or treaty must be presented to congress for approval. Anything else is holding insufficient especially in the minds of the American People. Lets use this the opportunity to ensure that the w. H. O. Can actually protect the World Global Health and not just literal interest of a few of its members. The United States should be setting the Gold Standard in incentivizing best practices and we should be doing everything we can to force the w. H. O. To listen to american interest, nothing is more important than Global Public health and properly forming the who he is the first step to that protection so there are officials and are providers that can better care for our citizens and establish best practices not only for here but perhaps around the world. We are holding the hearing to look at circumstances surrounding w. H. O. And seens how we canan make it better and stronger for the future. I look forward to a strong ontopic discussion today and i would like to recognize Ranking Member dr. Ruiz for the purpose of making an opening statement. Thank you and i believe, i think it is absolutely appropriate to congratulate you on your decision regarding your retirement and to show you full respect and appreciation for the amount of service you have given to our nation not just as a policy maker here in congress but also in your service in our military and as a physician and so as a fellow physician, its going to be sad too see you leae but know youre loved and know that youre very well respected and our nation appreciates you 100 . And i will miss working with you and i think we have a few bills we can get passed this bill. We must, we must. Its been a while, my friend. And thank you to ambassador, assistant secretary pace and assistant administrator for your participation today. I must say chairman, right now you probably cant see or really feel but inside im like a kid at a candy store. Im really excited to have all of three of you here. All three of you have done remarkable work, have led your profession and have been thought leaders for our nation and many countries aroundd the world. I want to the thank you personally and i also want to give a special thank you to doctor because when i was a thirdyear medical student doing my general surgery rotation the at the Womens Hospital i actually scrubbed in with doctor when he was aus fellow there ani really need to thank you for your kindness because despite you looking like you hadnt slept in 7 days, you were still kind and patient in helping me maneuver around the operating room so thank you so much. [laughter] in the last 3 years, the world has preserved through a deadly pandemic that has claimed nearly 7 million lives across the globe. K now as we reflect on the International Response to this Public Health crisis and look to the future, we must do so with a commitment to advancing Global Health security. Theres no International Organization as central to this work as the World Health Organization which has contributed to monumental advancements in healthcare and defeat of deadly diseases even in the furthest corners of the world. The w. H. O. Global vaccination programs have helped contribute to the an overall 54 increase in global Life Expectancy in the last 70 years and put us on track to prevent 51 million debts from measles and hepatitis b around the world. So i want to take the time to emphasize now that our work to prevent and prepare for future pandemics is not in conflict with enhancing International Cooperation. Instead our efforts are strengthened and fortified by it. In our last hearing on safety and security we all agree that threats to the american Peoples Health does not end at our borders so in order to ensure our nation is truly prepared for the next pandemic, we must continue to engage with the International Community on work thatam prevents future threats from reaching our nation. The United States has served as the preeminently leader in Global Health for decades and now is not the time to see that role to another country angling for global influence. No, now is the time to reinforce the United StatesGlobal Health leadership with meaningful reforms to the w. H. O. That promote transparency and strengthen International Cooperation in the event of future pandemics. Thankfully after years of volatile leadership under the previous Trump Administration, the Biden Administration has sought to correct course by reengaging not only with the World Health Organization but our partners around the world to advancele Global Health and our interest abroad. You see, when we become an isolationist nation we leave a void that other countries can come in and fill to use Public Health diplomacy as way of geopolitical dominance. Taking a Lessons Learned approach from the early days of the pandemic, the Biden Administration has pursued reforms to the w. H. O. And i think we can all get behind. Reforms that one enhance oversight in Member States compliance with International Health regulations to develop an Early Warning system for Public Health threats and strengthen capabilities fort Public Health emergencies of International Concern. Exactly what we are working onto to strengthen. So these reforms would not only institute positive change at the World Health Organization but they would enhance pandemic preparedness on a global scale and reinforce u. S. Influence in International Institutions and norms. You see in many ways Global Health is the cornerstone of diplomatic efforts and we must continue to find way that is enhance our role in this space on the International Stage. The fact of the matter is, when we leave gaps our adversaries will fill them. So now more than ever we should work to deepen cooperation with our allies and commit to the a collaborative approach to Global Health security that will ultimately counter the Chinese Communist party and deter their influence. Bold investments in Global Health and pandemic prevention made through consolidated appropriations act and the American Rescue plan have set the stage for this work, for example, the American Rescue plan funds bolstering the w. H. O. s Covid VaccinationAdministration Efforts help vaccinate approximately half the worlds population for covid19 within 1year period with the u. S. Vaccines making their way to key regions of the world where we compete with the prc for influence. Additionally, the Biden Administration has complemented these investments with forwardlooking policies that advance u. S. Interest abroad. Notably under President Bidens leadership the state department established its bureau of Global Health security and diplomacy with ambassador at large at the helm. Ambassador, i look forward hearing from you today about how the bureau has integrated Global Health security in our National Security informed policy priorities and how the United States is engaging with w. H. O. To advance that effort. So theres certainly a great deal of ground to cover in todays discussion and it is my hope that today we can identify constructive reforms to the w. H. O. That build on the administrations effort to enhance Global Pandemic preparedness as well as forward looking policies that further cement americas leadership in Global Health security. So with that, thank you, mr. Chairman and i yield back. Well, thank you. Our Witnesses Today are ms. Pace, secretary of health and Human Services for global affairs. Ambassador john, ambassador is the u. S. Global aids coordinator and Senior Bureau official for Global Health security and diplomacy for the department of state. He worked as the w. H. O. Special envoy for africa during the covid19 pandemic. And doctor is the surgeon, writer and Public Health researcher and assistant of the u. S. Agency for International Development for Global Health as well as Board Certified in general and surgery. Pursuant to the committee on oversight andwr accountability rule 9gr the witnesses will please stand and raise their right hands. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony that youre about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god . Thank you. Let the record show that the witnesses all answered in the affirmative. Let the record show witnesses all answered in the affirmative. This selective subcommittee certainly appreciates you all being here today. And i am sorry we had a delay in this meeting, but we are grateful you are here today, and look forward to your testimony. Let me remind the witnesses, we have read your written statements, and they will appear in full in the hearing. But, please limit your oral statements to five minutes. As a reminder, please press the button on the microphone in front of you so that it is on when you speak, and so that the members can hear you. When you begin to speak, the light in front of you will turn green. After four minutes, the light will turn yellow. When the red light comes on, your five minutes has expired, and we would ask that you please wrap up the statement. I now recognize ms. Pace to give an opening statement. Good afternoon, chairman, Ranking Member ruiz, and members of the subcommittee. Thank you for ensuring that we identify these lessons from the covid19 pandemic to enhance our Public Preparedness and National Security. My office leads u. S. Engagement with w. H. O. , and has been working since the start of the pandemic, on Institutional Reforms that improve transparency and accountability, both within the organization, and as he said, sir, across its 194 Member States. We work closely with our colleagues at the department of state and usaid as well as other agencies to build pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities, worldwide. Of course, the world has been profoundly impacted by the covid19 pandemic. In the u. S. , unfortunately, we tragically lost more than 1 million lives, and nearly 7 million have died locally. We know there is no ocean large enough to protect americans from a virus that can spread rapidly. So, we also know that it is only a matter of time before the world faces another serious Public Health threat. As it turns out, w. H. O. Has been on the frontlines of nearly every Global Health challenge over the past 75 years, combating, containing, and curing some of the planets most deadly diseases. Currently, w. H. O. Is responding to dozens of serious Health Emergencies, including in gaza and in ukraine. But, it takes an effectiv