Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today joined Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-Col.), Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), and 80 other members of the House of Representatives on a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Azar, which expressed concerns about the politicization around the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) COVID-19 vaccine approval process. The letter is available online here.

“We are extremely concerned…by the Administration’s actions and communications that undermine FDA leadership and industry transparency—sowing distrust among the American people,” the lawmakers wrote. “According to reports, FDA’s [Emergency Use Authorization] guidance was delayed for weeks by the White House, which reportedly tried to block its release. This follows the pattern of President Trump’s repeated claims—contradicting his own scientists and industry executives—that a COVID-19 vaccine will be available by Election Day, including falsely accusing FDA of being part of a “deep state” plot to delay a vaccine.’”

On October 6, FDA issued guidance on the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process for COVID-19 vaccines. However, the Trump administration’s actions and communications around the COVID-19 vaccine approval process undermine FDA leadership and industry transparency—sowing distrust among the American people. According to reports, FDA’s EUA guidance was delayed for weeks by the White House, which reportedly tried to block its release. 

The lawmakers continued: “We all want a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible as another tool to help contain the pandemic and ease the nation’s suffering, but any vaccine made available must be safe, effective, accessible, and trusted by the American people. Following science and public health expertise is the only way we will achieve this success. We urge you to allow the scientific experts at FDA to do their jobs, to adhere to the guidance they have developed prior to making any COVID-19 vaccine available for use, and to ensure all COVID-19 vaccine decisions are free from political interference.”

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