Bill Summary
The resolution states that the House of Representatives believes that all Americans, including public officials and candidates for public office, have a responsibility to avoid participating in gatherings that do not follow recommended guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for reducing the spread of COVID-19. These gatherings, referred to as "superspreader" events, have the potential to greatly increase the spread of the virus. The resolution specifically calls out the actions of the President of the United States, who has hosted multiple "superspreader" events, and states that all Americans have a responsibility to refrain from hosting or attending such events in order to protect the health and safety of the public. The resolution also references specific events where individuals, including politicians and White House staff, have tested positive for the virus after attending large gatherings without following recommended safety measures.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect people by holding public officials and candidates for public office accountable for their actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. If they attend or host "superspreader" events, they could face repercussions and criticism for not following recommended guidelines and potentially putting others at risk.
2. The legislation could also affect individuals by raising awareness of the importance of following CDC recommendations, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing, in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It emphasizes the responsibility of all Americans to do their part in protecting public health.
3. The legislation could also potentially impact the decision-making of public officials and candidates for public office, as they may be more cautious about attending large gatherings or events in order to avoid being associated with "superspreader" events. This could have implications for their campaigns and public image.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1208 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1208
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all
Americans, including public officials and candidates for public office,
have a responsibility to abstain from participating in
``superspreader'' events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 30, 2020
Mr. Krishnamoorthi submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that all
Americans, including public officials and candidates for public office,
have a responsibility to abstain from participating in
``superspreader'' events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (``CDC'') recommends that
all people wear masks, frequently wash their hands, practice social
distancing, and prioritize outdoor activities in order to reduce the
spread of COVID-19;
Whereas gatherings at which attendees do not follow CDC recommendations for
reducing the spread of COVID-19 have the potential to become COVID-19
``superspreader'' events;
Whereas, on June 20, 2020, the Donald J. Trump for President campaign held an
indoor rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at which attendees were not required to
wear masks or practice social distancing;
Whereas, after the June 20, 2020, rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tulsa County health
officials reported 261 COVID-19 cases on Monday, July 6, 2020, an
increase from 76 cases reported on the Monday preceding the rally;
Whereas Herman Cain, who attended the June 20, 2020, rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
died from COVID-19 on July 30, 2020;
Whereas, on September 18, 2020, the Donald J. Trump for President campaign held
a rally in Bemidji, Minnesota, at which attendees were not required to
wear masks or practice social distancing;
Whereas, following the September 18, 2020, rally in Bemidji, Minnesota, Beltrami
County experienced a 35 percent increase in COVID-19 cases, compared to
a 14 percent increase in the State overall;
Whereas, on September 26, 2020, President Donald J. Trump hosted an event at the
White House to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to
the Supreme Court, at which attendees were not required to wear masks,
practice social distancing, or remain outdoors;
Whereas, following the September 26, 2020, event at the White House, at least 11
individuals tested positive for COVID-19, including members of the
United States Senate who returned to the Capitol complex in the days
following the event;
Whereas, to date, at least five Members of the United States Senate and at least
18 members of the United States House of Representatives have tested
positive for COVID-19, including 16 Republicans and seven Democrats;
Whereas, to date, at least 9 individuals in the Executive Office of the
President have tested positive for COVID-19; and
Whereas, at least 31 individuals tied to the White House tested positive for
COVID-19 around the same time that President Donald J. Trump announced
on October 2, 2020, that he had contracted COVID-19: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives
that--
(1) gatherings at which public health recommendations for
reducing the spread of COVID-19 are not followed have the
potential to become COVID-19 ``superspreader'' events;
(2) the President of the United States, as both an elected
official and a candidate for elected office, has hosted
multiple ``superspreader'' gatherings, most notably a ceremony
to celebrate the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the
Supreme Court; and
(3) all Americans, including public officials and
candidates for public office, have a responsibility to abstain
from hosting and attending such gatherings to protect American
public health and safety.
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