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Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis) introduced legislation on August 18th that would shift about $9.6 billion in U.S. defense spending (1.3% of U.S. military spending) toward global Covid-19 vaccination efforts, since much of the world's population remains without access to vaccines.
Pocan estimated that nearly $10 billion directed to the COVAX initiative, a joint effort between the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other international organizations, could help vaccinate another 30 percent of the population in low-income countries based on an equivalent amount of funding already pledged.
"Right now, COVID is the greatest risk to our national security as well as the world’s security. Shifting funds from weaponry and military contractors to producing COVID vaccines will save hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of lives around the world," Pocan said in a statement.
"At a time when America spends more on its military than the next 11 closest nations combined, we should be able to sacrifice a little over one percent of that to save lives, build global goodwill, and actually make the world a safer, healthier place," he added.
See the links below for more information.
LINKS
Press Release: Pocan Introduces The “COVID Defense Act” to Direct Just Over 1 Percent of Pentagon Spending Towards Vaccinating 30% of the World’s Poorest Populations (Mark Pocan Official Site, 8-18-21)
Democrat unveils bill to redirect Pentagon spending toward global vaccination efforts (The Hill, 8-18-21)