Fitzpatrick, Lamb Introduce Pandemic 'Tripwire' Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pennsylvania Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01) and Conor Lamb (D-17th) have introduced legislation aimed at holding foreign nations accountable with respect to outbreaks of novel virus and disease outbreaks.

The "Never Again International Outbreak Prevention Act" would require a formal investigation of the World Health Organization's response to COVID-19. It would also require President Joe Biden to work with leaders of the G-20 nations to create a report on the international response to COVID-19, and conduct an audit of the WHO response to the outbreak.

The legislation also allows for the stripping of sovereign immunity of countries that have intentionally misled the international community on the outbreak of a health concern that leads to a pandemic. U.S. citizens would be able to bring lawsuits against foreign nations in U.S. courts for damages.

“As we have seen from COVID-19, the Chinese Communist Party has been intentionally and maliciously misleading the rest of the world about the scope and spread of the novel coronavirus," Fitzpatrick said. "We must hold other nations accountable for their actions that threaten and harm the livelihoods of Americans and people across the world."

The bill comes as a growing number of public officials, including President Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci, are calling for an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak, including whether or not the outbreak was the result of a lab leak, rather than a naturally occurring phenomenon.

“Congress needs to act now to ensure that there are consequences for international players who behave like China did during the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak,” Lamb said. “This legislation puts measures in place that will guarantee both an improved response as well as the accountability of global officials for identified failures to avoid another massive global pandemic like we are facing today.”

Related: Fitzpatrick Demands Answers On COVID-19's Origin

The legislation would also create an international wet market ban. A wet market is a place where animals are sold, dead or alive, for human consumption where the origins of the animal and their health cannot be certified. The bill would require the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to work to implement a resolution that bans the practice.

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