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WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) introduced H.R. 271 – the Restoring Normalcy in America Act. This multi-objective legislation holds President Biden and his administration accountable for perpetuating the COVID-19 pandemic and reverses restrictive policies. 

“President Biden and his administration continue to prolong the pandemic – promoting policies that destroy our economy, burden small businesses and hurt Kansas families,” said Rep. Estes on the House Floor. “The Restoring Normalcy in America Act provides the American people with answers and accountability.”

The following are the five objectives of the Restoring Normalcy in America Act:

Research

• Requires research into the effectiveness and lifespan of vaccines. Establishes criteria to determine how the transmission rate has varied over time. Compels the Department of Health and Human Services to determine America’s level of preparedness for future pandemics. Seeks to discover the true origin of COVID-19.

Accountability

• Audits HHS, FDA, and CDC regarding COVID funds allocated to determine what funds were expended, what funds remain, and what funds can be returned to Treasury.

Process

• Ends the use of Emergency Use Authorizations for any COVID vaccine or treatment and forces any without full FDA approval to go through the process like any other medication or vaccination.

Access

• Prevents any business from prohibiting entry or refusing service based solely on COVID vaccination status.

Restoration

• Reinstates any service member or federal employee that was fired or discharged due to failure to comply with the mandate and requires that their records be expunged. 

Watch Rep. Estes Remarks

Full Remarks:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Restoring Normalcy in America Act.

In a little over a week, we will be three years past the first recorded case of COVID-19 in the United States. And over two years since the COVID-19 vaccine has been available, thanks to its rapid development under Operation Warp Speed.

Despite the time elapsed, President Biden and his administration continue to prolong the pandemic –promoting policies that are destroying our economy, burdening small businesses and hurting Kansas families.

Just yesterday, the NFIB announced that their Small Business Optimism Index declined 2.1 points in December, making it the 12th consecutive month below their 49-year average.

And the December jobs report was the worst of 2022 and the worst during the entirety of the Biden administration so far. And with out-of-control spending in the name of COVID relief, rampant inflation has made real average hourly earnings fall 1.9% since last year – the 20^th month in a row that inflation has outpaced wage growth following the implementation of the so-called American Rescue Plan in March of 2021.

While Washington was under total Democrat control, President Biden increased federal spending, continued lockdown procedures for far past their effectiveness and held the country hostage until his self-chosen vaccination rates were reached. 

But receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is a choice. 

A choice made with careful consideration between a person and their doctor – not an action that can be forced by the federal government.

And when the Biden administration failed to achieve their vaccination goals, they forced through unconstitutional vaccine mandates.

We are currently experiencing near historic lows of COVID hospitalizations, and 41 states have ended their states of emergency. 

Yet, the Biden administration has decided to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency – despite in September President Biden stating that the "pandemic is over."

The continuation of the Public Health Emergency significantly strains state and federal budgets when we are already combating inflation and rising prices.

These actions by President Biden and his administration have hurt the American people and stunted our recovery. It is long past due that Washington is accountable for the persisting pandemic restrictions placed on the Kansans I represent. 

The legislation I am introducing today holds the federal government responsible and is a step toward restoring normalcy through five objectives of research, accountability, process, access and restoration. 

The American people deserve answers from the federal government on the effectiveness of the forced Biden administration COVID-19 policies. 

My bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research on the effectiveness of vaccines and current treatments, the rate of transmission of COVID throughout of the Public Health Emergency, and, more importantly, an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.  

We also need accountability. Over the past several years, trillions have been allocated to combat COVID-19. To ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being wasted, my legislation would audit the federal agencies that received COVID-19 funds, and whatever finances can be recouped should be returned to Treasury.  

Returning to our standard processes is also critical. In the early stages of the pandemic, using the Emergency Use Authorization the EUA was necessary to develop vaccines and treatments. Now, with years of information and time, we should return to the normal approval process. 

This bill ends the use of EUAs for COVID vaccines and treatments and requires any without full FDA approval to go through the process like any other medication or vaccination.

The choice to be vaccinated is personal, and whether it be for religious or medical reasons, vaccination status should not be the cause for discrimination and access. 

My bill strengthens personal freedoms by preventing businesses from prohibiting entry or refusing service based solely on COVID vaccination status.

Lastly, my legislation reverses the damage done by President Biden’s destructive, unconstitutional vaccine mandate and brings restoration to individuals harmed. Any service member or federal employee fired or discharged due to failure to comply with Biden's vaccine mandate will be reinstated with their record expunged of this incident.

The Restoring Normalcy in America Act provides the American people with answers and accountability for how this administration has prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic and works to reverse some of the damaging policies that have been put in place.

Thank you, and I yield back.