On Thursday, May 7, 2020, the Senate health committee will hold a hearing on the federal government's response to COVID-19.

The hearing is an opportunity for senators to hear from Dr. Francis Collins at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Gary Disbrow at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) about the efforts to create new technologies designed to produce tens of millions of COVID-19 tests.

Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senate health appropriations committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) spearheaded provisions in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act to provide an additional $25 billion for COVID-19 testing, including funding a competitive "shark tank" designed to create brand new technologies to produce tens of millions of COVID-19 diagnostic tests by August.

Witnesses:

• Dr. Francis Collins, NIH
• Dr. Gary Disbrow, BARDA

Please be advised: The Committee is working with the Sergeant at Arms, Rules Committee, Office of Attending Physician and Press Galleries on health and safety protocols. In an effort to maintain social distancing protocols in the hearing room, only senators, witnesses and limited staff will be permitted to enter the hearing room. Arrangements are being made for press coverage of the hearing and more information will be available at a later time. The hearing will be simulcast on the Committee website for the public and members of the press.