Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 24) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 26) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022.
Impact
The passage of H.R. 185 would directly impact public health policy by eliminating the vaccination proof requirement for travelers entering the U.S. This could lead to increased travel and tourism but may also heighten public health risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the disapproval of local legislations in D.C. related to voting rights and criminal codes signifies a federal push towards regulating local governance, which may lead to tensions between state and local authorities regarding autonomy in handling such issues.
Summary
House Resolution 97 (HR97) primarily addresses the procedural considerations for H.R. 185, a bill aimed at terminating the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign travelers imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, HR97 provides for the consideration of several joint resolutions that disapprove actions taken by the District of Columbia Council regarding local voting rights and criminal code amendments. The resolution serves to streamline the legislative process for these bills by waiving points of order and limiting the debate to one hour, thus enabling a focused discussion and quicker voting process.
Sentiment
Reactions to HR97 and the underlying bills have been notably divided along partisan lines. Supporters view the resolution as a necessary step towards restoring personal freedoms and facilitating international travel amid the pandemic. In contrast, opponents express concerns about undermining public health measures, fearing that such actions may compromise safety as global travel resumes. The sentiment in debates reflects broader ideological divides over governance, individual rights, and public health responsibilities.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HR97 include the implications of rolling back health requirements in the wake of persistent COVID-19 risks, as well as the broader implications for local governance. Critics argue that the federal disapproval of local D.C. legislation could set a precedent for future interventions in local decision-making, leading to conflicts over the rightful scope of federal versus local powers. As debates continue, the balance between public health, legislative efficiency, and local autonomy remains a focal point of contention.
Related
This bill nullifies the order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic and published on April 7, 2022. (The order restricts the entry of noncitizens who are not immigrants into the United States by air travel unless they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or otherwise attest that they will take public health measures to prevent the spread of the disease.) The bill also nullifies any successor or subsequent orders that require foreign persons traveling by air to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry and prohibits the use of federal funds to administer or enforce such a requirement.
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 734) to amend the Education Amendments of 1972 to provide that for purposes of determining compliance with title IX of such Act in athletics, sex shall be recognized based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth, and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 42) disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
A joint resolution disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2811) to provide for a responsible increase to the debt ceiling, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 39) disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Commerce relating to "Procedures Covering Suspension of Liquidation, Duties and Estimated Duties in Accord With Presidential Proclamation 10414".
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 884) to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2056) to require the District of Columbia to comply with federal immigration laws; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2096) to restore the right to negotiate matters pertaining to the discipline of law enforcement officers of the District of Columbia through collective bargaining, to restore the statute of limitations for bringing disciplinary cases against members or civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (S. 331) to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, and for other purposes.