Federal Covid Response Shrinks as New Funding Stalls in Congress

The country risks a Covid spike this winter as congressional bickering prevents a new federal infusion of money to distribute vaccines and therapies, public health groups warn.

Congress, clearing another government spending bill (Public Law 117-180) last week, omitted the White House request for almost $27 billion for resources to slow the spread of Covid and the monkeypox virus. It’s been more than 18 months since new money was approved for a list of federal Covid-fighting programs.

That lag in funding has prompted federal spending to shift away from research into vaccines and on combating viruses that are ...