U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statements regarding historic third quarter economic growth, the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court justice, and news regarding COVID-19.
United States Posts Record Economic Growth
“This week, the Department of Commerce announced a record economic expansion of 33.1% in the third quarter, the largest economic growth in the history of the United States. With the historic third-quarter growth, the United States in a single quarter has now recovered two-thirds of the economic output lost due to the pandemic during the first half of the year. These historic numbers showed growth across nearly all sectors, including those which were hardest hit by COVID. Third-quarter spending on recreation, food, and accommodation services accounted for one-fifth of total GDP growth in the third quarter.
“These economic numbers are also higher than the recovery that took place after the 2008 Great Recession, where it took four times as long for the economy to recover to a similar position. While the economy had a sharp decline in the second quarter due to shutdowns throughout the country, today’s news is a clear sign that President Trump’s policies and leadership will get the United States back to our historic pre-pandemic economic levels.”
Amy Coney Barrett Sworn in as the newest Justice on the Supreme Court
“On Monday, the United States Senate voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court. Justice Amy Coney Barrett is one of the most qualified and well-respected jurists to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. She graduated first in her class from Notre Dame Law School, clerked for esteemed Justice Antonin Scalia, and served with distinction as a faculty member at her alma mater for 20 years. In her time as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, her majority opinions were unanimous 95 percent of the time.
“The federal judiciary provides a check against those who seek to constrain our First and Second Amendment rights and attack our religious liberties. As a federal judge, she approaches cases with an open mind and ruled based on the Constitution, instead of legislating from the bench. The character and temperament of Justice Barrett and the fairness she shows in the cases before her should provide comfort to all Americans. I congratulate Justice Barrett and her family for this achievement.”
Operation Warp Speed Continues to Show Progress in Fight Against COVID-19
“As we continue the fight against COVID-19, it is clear that the development of a safe, effective vaccine for the American people is the best way to defeat this virus. Fortunately, Operation Warp Speed (OWS), created by President Trump, is ensuring the development and distribution of one or more safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to all Americans is done more efficiently than previously developed and distributed vaccines.
“The federal government is using unprecedented cooperation with private industry to prepare for distribution of a vaccine as soon as career scientists and regulators at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deem it safe, effective, and fully compliant with the most stringent standards. The Department of Defense is applying the same supply chain and logistics expertise that keeps the U.S. military the best-equipped force in the world to ensure that OWS vaccine manufacturers have what they need to get vaccines out to our hardworking American families. The full power of the American federal government, military, private industry, and academia are coming together to deliver a safe and effective vaccine from the laboratory to the frontlines of our community. It is also important to recognize the individuals who are volunteering to participate in Phase I, II, and III vaccine testing processes to help bring safe and effective vaccines to families in America and around the world.
“This research and public/private collaboration is yielding incredible results in record time. The FDA is systematically working through myriad new and existing therapies to help combat COVID-19 including discoveries permitted under Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA’s). For example, Remdesivir, is one FDA approved therapy proven safe and effective in treating hospitalized adults. Over the course of the next several months, we expect to see multiple new, safe, and effective treatments and vaccines available for widespread use and mass distribution.
“On a final note, I have such faith in our FDA, our medical regulatory processes, and in our pharmaceutical innovators, that I have volunteered to participate in the Phase III investigation process for one of the COVID-19 vaccines that appears to have great promise. I had my first injection three weeks ago and have had no side-effects whatsoever. I must point out, however, that all Phase III studies are ‘double-blind’, meaning that neither the testing laboratory nor I know whether I received the real vaccine or a placebo (although I certainly hope I received the ‘real stuff’). I am participating in this study because I think it is important for policymakers to show their faith in American ingenuity and our pharmaceutical regulatory process. In this regard, I also find it despicable for certain politicians to attempt to cast doubt on the qualifications and skills of the scientists who are working around the clock to bring these drugs to our families so that we can eliminate the impact of COVID-19 as soon as possible.
Remember to Vote
“Looking ahead, I ask you to remember that millions of Americans who have fought to protect our freedoms, including the rights of self-governance that come from voting. Please remember their sacrifices and honor them by voting next Tuesday.”
