Reed: We Can & Must Do Better

 Press Release

Pledges To Build On President Trump’s Vaccine Progress & Challenges President Biden To Raise The Bar To 200 Million Doses In 100 Days Because It Is Achievable First Republican To Support Using FEMA To Assist In Vaccine Distribution/Administration To Overcome New York & Other State’s Failures In Getting Vaccines In Arms Of People

CORNING, NY — Today, Rep. Tom Reed announced his commitment to work across the aisle and build on President Trump’s vaccine progress. Reed called on President Biden to raise the bar and work with Congress to administer 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the next 100 days.  Reed also made clear his support for President Biden’s proposed federalization of additional vaccine resources and distribution by FEMA and other entities to combat New York and other states’ inability to transparently and effectively deliver shots in arms.  Rep. Reed: “Through Operation Warp Speed, President Trump ensured states had a direct pipeline of over 400 million COVID-19 vaccines through vaccine suppliers Modena and Pfizer by July 31, 2021, with more set to quickly come online following FDA approval. Having spoken directly to vaccine producers and Operation Warp Speed officials, it is clear the nation was already on track to easily exceed delivery of 100 million doses in the next 100 days. President Biden has pledged to continue this rate, but the American people deserve better. We must hold ourselves to a higher standard and I pledge my full support of President Biden raising the goal to administer 200 million doses in 100 days. In addition, I am pleased to be one of the first Republicans to support President Biden’s efforts to utilize FEMA, the National Guard, and other entities to boost the distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to all Americans. Pursuing this multi-pronged strategy will help address serious questions surrounding Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and other states’ failures to coherently outline vaccination programs in a timely and effective manner, resulting in distribution debacles.  We have no time to waste if we want to move past New York’s serious missteps and miscommunications, including confusion around eligibility, wasted vaccines, and data discrepancies. We must support President Biden’s efforts to bring additional federal agencies into the mix. Lives are on the line. Now is time for us to come together, fix this problem, and restore the public’s confidence so we can defeat COVID-19 once and for all. No more blaming. No more lies. Time to deliver for the American people.”