Marshall Introduces COVID-19 Accountability Act

Press Release

On Friday, U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D. helped introduce the COVID-19 Accountability Act to hold China account for creating a global crisis and giving President Trump the authority to impose sanctions on China if the country fails to fully cooperate with a complete investigation into the outbreak of COVID-19.

"Instead of alerting the world the severity of the virus when it was first discovered, the Chinese Communist Party spent months quieting dissenters and jailing those who spoke out and tried to sound the alarm. China's inaction allowed the virus to spread around the world, causing massive death and devastation in the U.S. and every other country on the globe," said Rep. Marshall. "I was the first member of Congress to speak on the House floor about this issue and it is only through a thorough investigation of the events leading up to the spread of the virus that we will fully be able to understand the extent of China's lying and cover ups."

Under the COVID-19 Accountability Act, the President would be required to make a certification to Congress within 60 days that China has:

Provided a full and complete accounting to any COVID-19 investigation led by the United States, its allies, or United Nations affiliates, such as the World Health Organization (WHO);
Closed all wet markets that have the potential to expose humans to health risks; and
Released all pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong that were arrested in the post COVID-19 crackdowns.
The President would also be given the authority to impose a range of sanctions to hold China accountable, including asset freezes, travel bans, visa revocations, restricting U.S. financial institutions from making loans to Chinese businesses, and prohibiting Chinese firms from being listed on American stock exchanges.

This bill also requires the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the Chinese pharmaceutical industry, expands the research and development tax credit to incentivize innovation and commercial development of goods in the United States, and calls upon the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain Taiwan observer status at the World Health Organization.

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