FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 28, 2023
State and Federal GOP Lawmakers Launch Committee
to Investigate Arizona's COVID-19 Pandemic Response
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Arizona Republican lawmakers are establishing a committee to examine federal, state and local efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, any fallout from such measures, and to identify any possible legal remedies against individuals or entities where appropriate.
At the end of May, the Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee will convene to gather information from experts and to provide the public with a formal venue to share their stories, experiences and grievances from the pandemic response by public health departments and healthcare systems. The committee will evaluate protocols and overall public health guidance, funding incentives for health care facilities, injustices committed against families, businesses, workers and industries, potential preventative protections that may have been able to safeguard Arizona citizens against harms committed, and anything else deemed relevant to the pandemic. This committee will then produce a report that will be submitted to both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House before the end of 2024.
Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp will serve as Chairman, and Senator T.J. Shope will serve as Vice-Chairman. Both currently lead the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. Joining them will be Arizona State House Representative Steve Montenegro, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, Congressman Andy Biggs and Congressman Eli Crane.
"The pandemic was a heartbreaking period for so many people on so many different levels," said Senator Shamp. "I lost my job as a Perioperative Nurse because I refused to take the experimental vaccine that we now know has produced serious side effects in a number of otherwise healthy individuals. We've witnessed lives and livelihoods lost for no other reason than the mismanagement of COVID-19, and we are determined to hold those accountable for the injustices experienced."
The Novel Coronavirus Southwestern Intergovernmental Committee happens Thursday, May 25 and Friday, May 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix.
Subsequent committee hearings will be announced at a later date.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus