GOP Demands Accounting Of Covid Funds Before Approving New Money

Stat: White House Transparency Disputes Imperil Funds To Buy Covid Therapeutics
The White House hasn’t publicly detailed exactly how it’s spent the more than $4 trillion Congress authorized for Covid-19 relief — and now, that lack of transparency could imperil its request for more money to fight the pandemic and buy therapeutics. Amid heated negotiations over a government funding bill, three dozen Republican senators including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are refusing to consider more Covid-19 relief funding unless the federal government provides a full accounting of how funds have been spent. The White House disputes the accusations that there has been a lack of transparency, and an administration official said the White House briefs Congress on a regular and bipartisan basis about details of the status of relief funding. (Cohrs, 3/4)

Fox News: White House Says COVID-19 Money On 'Empty' As It Ties Approval To Ukraine Aid
The White House is warning that the U.S. will soon begin to run out of money for COVID-19 supplies unless Congress acts to approve more funding. Officials say more money is needed for antibody treatments, preventative pills and to fund testing sites. "From the COVID side, the bank account is empty," COVID-19 deputy coordinator Natalie Quillian said. "We’re in conversations with lawmakers about how to secure the funding, but it’s urgently needed." Some of the consequences could be felt later this month. "This is an urgent request and this is what is at stake in our fight against COVID," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Friday. (Musto, 3/5)

The Wall Street Journal: Ukraine, Covid-19 Aid At Stake As Talks On Omnibus Spending Bill Continue 
Congressional negotiators were rushing to complete the text of legislation funding the government beyond Friday, with the Biden administration’s request for $10 billion in aid to Ukraine adding to pressure to meet a looming deadline. Republicans and Democrats, after taking months to agree on total defense and nondefense fiscal 2022 spending, have been held up by topics as varied as tacking on emergency money for Ukraine and the next phase of the coronavirus outbreak. With the interim law funding the government expiring at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, and House Democrats set to be in Philadelphia starting Wednesday for a long-planned retreat, negotiators need to make progress quickly. (Hughes, 3/6)

In other news about the Biden administration —

Politico: ‘I Almost Lost My Baby’: Parents Demand Answers From FDA
Two weeks after a nationwide recall of infant formula tied to five hospitalizations and two deaths, the FDA is refusing to answer questions about why it took months to take action, while parents, lawmakers and advocates ratchet up pressure on the agency. As POLITICO recently reported, the FDA, CDC and formula maker Abbott Nutrition knew about the first infant seriously sickened by Cronobacter sakazakii, a rare bacteria, in September. It was more than four months before FDA sent inspectors to investigate the plant where the formula was made. It took another three weeks to order a recall. The timeline has raised questions about the government’s response and whether quicker action could have prevented illnesses and deaths. (Bottemiller Evich, 3/5)

USA Today: EPA Regulation Of Dangerous PFAS Chemicals Raises Questions, Red Flags
Scientists first discovered the tasteless, odorless chemicals along a stretch of southern New Jersey in 2020. Combinations of carbon and fluorine molecules littered the soil and water, where they were absorbed by fish and, quite possibly, the people who live there. The compounds are part of a family of thousands of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, used for decades in consumer products like Teflon cookware, rain gear, and food packaging. The more scientists research PFAS, the more concern emerges about their potential health effects. (Bagenstose, 3/7)