Bipartisan ‘Havana Syndrome’ Bill Introduced
U.S. officials abroad who have contracted mysterious symptoms while working abroad -- that some believe could be caused by a foreign weapon -- may get financial support from the legislation. Patent protections is also in the news from Capitol Hill.
CBS News:
Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Authorize Financial Support For "Havana Syndrome" Victims
A bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers introduced legislation on Wednesday that would authorize added financial support for U.S. officials who have suffered brain injuries resulting from "Havana Syndrome," a mysterious set of symptoms known to have afflicted scores of American personnel over several years. The measure would allow the CIA and State Department to provide financial assistance and other benefits to injured employees according to internally established, "fair and equitable" criteria, according to the legislation's text. (Gazis, 5/19)
Stat:
Republicans Tell Biden To Reverse 'Disastrous' Covid-19 IP Waiver Decision
Amid a furious debate over boosting global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, more than a dozen Republican senators are urging the Biden administration to rescind its “disastrous decision” to support a controversial proposal to temporarily waive intellectual property rights. In a harshly worded letter, the lawmakers argued the proposal before the World Trade Organization could hurt the U.S economy and make it easier for other countries to steal intellectual property and medical technology. They also maintained that a waiver would foster vaccine nationalism and allow China to undercut American leadership in vaccine distribution in the developing world. (Silverman, 5/19)
And from the Biden administration —
NPR:
U.S. To Grant Citizenship To Children Born Via IVF, Surrogacy
The State Department will now approve U.S. citizenship for children born abroad to same-sex or heterosexual American parents via in-vitro fertilization, surrogacy and by other assisted reproductive means. Under the policy announced Tuesday, the child must be born abroad to married parents and at least one of the parents has to be a U.S. citizen. The child must have biological ties to at least one parent. (Diaz, 5/19)
