Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Taylor Greene Apologizes For Her 'Offensive' Holocaust Comparison To Masks
The Washington Post: Rep. Greene Apologizes For Comparing Face Masks To Holocaust, But Stands By Comparison Of Democrats To Nazi Party
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday visited the Holocaust Museum and apologized for previously comparing coronavirus face-mask policies to the Nazi practice of labeling Jews with Star of David badges. But the Georgia Republican declined to walk back other controversial statements she has made, including one in which she compared the Democratic Party to Hitler’s party, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. (Sonmez, 6/14)
ABC News: Members Of Congress Hold Moment Of Silence For Americans Who Died Of COVID-19
As the United States approaches the grim milestone of 600,000 coronavirus deaths, a group of bipartisan lawmakers gathered on the east front steps of the U.S. Capitol building on Monday evening to honor the lives lost. The group included Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D- Calif., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and other bipartisan members of Congress. (Lantry, 6/14)
Roll Call: House Chamber Mask Mandate Lifted For Vaccinated Members, Staff
When the House returns to Washington next week, vaccinated members will have the choice to go mask-free in the House chamber for the first time since mask rules were implemented last spring, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But unvaccinated lawmakers and staff will still be required to wear a mask in the chamber and throughout the House side of the Capitol. According to a senior Democratic aide, the Capitol complex is at a vaccination rate of 85 percent, a benchmark that led to the announcement of this change Friday. (Tully-McManus, 6/11)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
Politico: Schumer Apologizes After Using Outdated Term For Disabled Children During Housing Interview
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer apologized on Monday for using an outmoded word to refer to developmentally disabled children during a recent podcast appearance. Appearing on the One NYCHA podcast, Schumer used the word “retarded” in making a point about the challenge of overcoming community resistance to housing initiatives meant to serve vulnerable populations. (Niedzwiadek, 6/14)
AP: To Curb Drug Prices, Democrats Still Seeking A Balance
Democrats are committed to passing legislation this year to curb prescription drug prices, but they’re still disagreeing on how to cut costs for patients and taxpayers while preserving profits that lure investors to back potentially promising treatments. It boils down to finding a balance: How big a stick should Medicare have to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies? (Alonso-Zaldivar, 6/12)
