Sec. 4. Purposes
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The purposes of the Commission are to— examine and report on the facts and the causes relating to the COVID–19 pandemic in the United States, which may include investigating and reporting on— the origins of COVID–19; and the spread of COVID–19 internationally and within the United States; make a full and nonpartisan accounting of the United States preparedness for, and response to, the COVID–19 pandemic, to include investigating and reporting on— medical intelligence; international public health surveillance; domestic public health surveillance; communication and coordination between the Federal Government and foreign governments, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and international public health organizations related to public health threats and early warning, detection, and prevention and response measures; communication and coordination related to public health threats and early warning, detection, and prevention and response measures among the Federal national security agencies, Federal public health agencies, other relevant Federal agencies, and State, Tribal, local, and territorial governments;
Federal funding and support for, engagement with, and management of, international prevention, preparedness, and response efforts; Federal guidance, assistance, and requirements for State, Tribal, local, and territorial governments; Federal acquisition and financing efforts and supply chain management, including use of the authorities provided under the Defense Production Act of 1950 ( 50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.), related to personal protective equipment, testing supplies, ventilators and other medical equipment or supplies, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, or other relevant items for domestic and international use; management, allocation, and distribution of relevant resources (including resources and assets for domestic use held by United States agencies that provide foreign aid) between the Federal Government and State, Tribal, local, and territorial governments, hospitals and health care organizations, and private sector entities, including personal protective equipment, testing supplies, ventilators and other medical equipment or supplies, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, or other relevant items; management, allocation, and distribution of personal protective equipment, testing supplies, ventilators and other medical equipment or supplies, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, or other relevant items as aid to foreign countries; domestic and global supply chain vulnerabilities with respect to personal protective equipment, testing supplies, ventilators and other medical equipment or supplies, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, or other relevant items; the operation of government-maintained stockpiles; scams and profiteering; misinformation and disinformation; the readiness of Federal, State, Tribal, local, and territorial public health departments and agencies and relevant regional entities; testing and contact tracing operations; emergency management; military engagement, including the National Guard Bureau;
Federal, State, Tribal, local, and territorial orders and guidance to reduce disease transmission, including travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders, in-person school and institution of higher education closures or modifications, workplace protections or closures, or business closures or modifications; Federal, State, Tribal, local, and territorial guidance, public health education, and resource provision related to masking, social distancing, hygiene, therapeutics, testing, quarantining, vaccination, or other relevant topics; scientific and technological preparedness and response, which may include— the Federal role in executing, supporting, and coordinating domestic and global research on diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines; the efficacy and scientific integrity of the Federal authorization and approval processes for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics; and the use of technology to detect and prevent contagion, including privacy concerns; the preparedness and response of specific types of institutions that experienced high rates of COVID–19 infection or that are critical to national security, which may include— hospitals; skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities; assisted living facilities; prisons, jails, and immigration detention centers; elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education; food production, processing, and distribution facilities; other congregate settings and confined or high-density workplaces; and other critical infrastructure facilities;
Federal economic relief programs, including— loan, grant, and other financial assistance; unemployment insurance; tax and loan deferment; direct payments; rental and mortgage assistance, eviction moratoria, and foreclosure relief; and fiscal relief to States, Tribes, localities, and territories; health and economic impacts on underserved communities, rural populations, racial and ethnic minority populations, older adults, and all other populations with relevant health or economic disparities, which may include— immigrant populations; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals; people with disabilities; people who live on or near Indian reservations or in Alaska Native villages; residents of territories of the United States; and veterans; the division of authority and responsibilities between the Federal Government and State, Tribal, local, and territorial governments; any other aspect of Federal, State, Tribal, local, and territorial government preparedness and response; and other areas as determined relevant and appropriate by the Commission (by agreement of the chair and vice chair of the Commission); and investigate and report to the President and Congress on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to improve the ability of the Federal Government, State, Tribal, local, and territorial governments, and the private sector to— prevent, detect, respond to, and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics, whether naturally occurring or caused by State or non-State actors, and other public health emergencies; protect the health security of the United States; and reestablish the role of the United States as a global leader in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response.
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U.S. Code