Press Release

Today, Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, released the following statement on the surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths in India.

"My heart breaks over the tragedy unfolding in India, including the thousands of lives lost per day to the COVID-19 virus.

Over the past several days, I have spoken with U.S. Administration officials regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in India, and the steps the U.S. is taking to provide assistance. I applaud the Biden Administration for its decision to send urgently needed resources to help the Indian people, including raw materials necessary for vaccine development, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), rapid diagnostic testing, and oxygen-related supplies.

I will continue to work with the Biden Administration and my colleagues in the U.S. Congress to ensure assistance reaches the people of India and impacted communities around the world. COVID-19 is a global virus that requires global cooperation, driven by American ingenuity and leadership. We have an important role to play in ensuring the virus is defeated not only in the U.S., but around the world."

Representative Bera is the longest serving Indian-American Member of Congress and also serves on the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans.