President Joe Biden was blasted after his administration made an announcement about ending the COVID-19 emergency.
White House reporter for The Associated Press Seung Min Kim tweeted on Monday, “President Biden to end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11 as US adjusts to living with virus.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House: President Biden to end COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11 as US adjusts to living with virus.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) January 30, 2023
Biden received criticism from several on the platform, with Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) tweeting, “This is beyond stupid. End the ridiculous virtue signaling now.”
This is beyond stupid. End the ridiculous virtue signaling now. https://t.co/qqqgqtB4Wu
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) January 31, 2023
Podcast host Philip Holloway wrote, “Because ’emergencies’ operate on a schedule, we can plan 4 months in advance for them to end,” followed by clown emojis.
Because "emergencies" operate on a schedule, we can plan 4 months in advance for them to end
— Philip Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) January 30, 2023
??? https://t.co/CwfSzA13Ti
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) said she “can’t wait to see the ‘science’ that says we must wait until May 11th to end the emergency declaration. I’m waiting on pins and needles.”
Can't wait to see the "science" that says we must wait until May 11th to end the emergency declaration.
— Representative Lisa McClain (@RepLisaMcClain) January 30, 2023
I'm waiting on pins and needles, @POTUS. https://t.co/xcX4IYE5P3
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) argued, “Ending the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration probably should have happened a long time ago. To say we are still in an emergency, and will be until May, is stretching the word ’emergency’ tremendously.”
Ending the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration probably should have happened a long time ago. To say we are still in an emergency, and will be until May, is stretching the word “emergency” tremendously. https://t.co/TAhBXYJ45F
— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) January 30, 2023
Read more responses below:
Yes because May 11th is precisely the date Covid will just be our neighbor down the block and leave us alone. https://t.co/HLdbBU8o4R
— Randy Wilkins (@pamsson) January 31, 2023
So let me get this straight.
— Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) January 30, 2023
House Republicans announce we’re voting to end COVID-19 regulations this week.
Biden then suddenly announces that he’s ending the emergency.
Go figure. https://t.co/hPiHfaQ9FE
There is no reason to wait.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2023
There is no reason to trust the Biden Regime.
We're voting on my bill to end the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration on Wednesday. https://t.co/TXhKlrLWdf
Biden has had years to catch up with the rest of America. This week, Republicans in the House will do what Biden has failed to do and END the public health emergency.
— Rep. Kevin Hern (@repkevinhern) January 30, 2023
Three years is too long! https://t.co/qliqe5aq8U
So, the ground hog came out and said 3.5 more months of “emergency” COVID declarations… so an admission they’re unnecessary, but the lack of courage to declare it now. #HealthcareFreedom https://t.co/1QGlUxqX7O
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 30, 2023
A senior Democratic aide told CNN the White House weighed in on the issue because House Democrats were worried about voting against the legislation put forth by Republicans to put an end to the public health emergency.
“Democrats were concerned about the optics of voting against Republicans winding down the public health emergency, absent an understanding of whether and how we intended to do so from the White House,” the aide said.
They added, “As soon as we saw this bill, it obviously concerns the White House. So, it was important for them to weigh in.”
The White House made it clear in a statement that the “continuation of these emergency declarations until May 11 does not impose any restriction at all on individual conduct with regard to COVID-19.”
According to the administration, they “do not impose mask mandates or vaccine mandates. They do not restrict school or business operations. They do not require the use of any medicines or tests in response to cases of COVID-19.”
