January 3, 2023
Dear Members of Congress,
Independent Women’s Voice, which fights to enhance people’s freedom, opportunities, and well-being, supports H.J. Res. 46, introduced by Representative Paul Gosar. This joint resolution terminates the COVID-19 national emergency declaration first enacted in 2020. The Senate companion joint resolution, S.J.Res.38, was passed in March 2022.
On September 18, 2022, President Biden said that the pandemic was over. Yet the national emergency, which he renewed in February 2022, is not set to end until February 2023. The federal government has demonstrated inconsistent policy choices during this confusing time, sending mixed messages to the public.
Americans widely recognize that COVID-19 is no longer a national emergency: Airport passenger traffic is back up to near pre-pandemic levels and fliers aren’t even required to wear masks. Kids everywhere are back in school—although this should have been the first, rather than the last, priority. And the healthcare system is no longer strained by waves of COVID-19 patients, thanks to a variety of factors related to the virus, immunity, and treatments.
During true emergencies, the government must often act quickly to respond. But allowing the government to keep emergency powers during a time when no emergency exists is a violation of the system of checks and balances that usually works to protect the basic liberties of the American people and their representative government.
The end of the pandemic means there is absolutely no reason to prolong pandemic-era policies that give the government more control over the lives of the American people. For almost three years, COVID-19 has affected nearly all aspects of society. In the beginning, we made enormous sacrifices to move forward and defeat the pandemic. But now it’s past time to lift the emergency declaration and return every single fundamental freedom that was taken away in the name of COVID-19.
We applaud Rep. Gosar for moving early in the 118th Congress to finally bring an end to the abuse of the COVID-19 national emergency declaration and urge all Members of Congress to support this joint resolution.
Respectfully,
Hadley Heath Manning
Vice President for Policy
Independent Women’s Voice