Rep. Payne, Jr.’s Statement on President Biden’s Executive Order to Reopen Schools

Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. issued the following statement regarding President Joe Biden's Executive Order to direct the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to work together to provide "evidence-based guidance to assist States and elementary and secondary schools" on how to reopen and stay open safely for students and staff. The order is almost identical to Rep. Payne, Jr.'s Pandemic Planning and Response for Schools Act, which would direct the two departments to work together to find the "best practices" necessary to reopen schools and keep them open safely.

"I am proud that President Joe Biden has put the health and education of our children as a top priority on his first day in office. Everyone knows children learn more efficiently through in-person instruction. But it must be done in a safe environment to protect them and school staff from infection during this global pandemic. I introduced my Pandemic Planning and Response for Schools Act to make sure we found the most effective methods to reopen schools safely. I will continue to encourage my colleagues to support my bill because we need a law to guarantee future departments put the health and safety of our children first if we ever experience another global health crisis."

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