Democratic senators call on Biden to support waiving vaccine patents

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersSenators introducing bill to penalize Pentagon for failed audits Sanders to offer resolution on Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire Briahna Joy Gray: Pentagon's reported plans for monitoring personnel's social media is 'warrantless surveillance' MORE (I-Vt.) and nine Democratic senators are calling on President BidenJoe BidenIsrael-Hamas ceasefire could come as soon as Friday: report US opposes UN resolution calling on Israel-Gaza ceasefire Parents of 54 migrant children found after separation under Trump administration MORE to support a waiver of COVID-19 vaccine patents at the World Trade Organization, a move they say is needed to ensure access to vaccines in lower-income countries. 

“Your Administration has the opportunity to reverse the damage done by the Trump Administration to our nation’s global reputation and restore America’s public health leadership on the world stage,” the senators wrote in a letter to Biden dated Thursday.

“To bring the pandemic to its quickest end and save the lives of Americans and people around the world, we ask that you prioritize people over pharmaceutical company profits by reversing the Trump position and announcing U.S. support for the [waiver].”

The letter is part of mounting pressure campaign on Biden from progressive Democrats. Several House lawmakers, including House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauroRosa DeLauroBiden goes big on Title I funding for low-income students Democrats renew push for permanent child credit expansion This week: House to vote on Jan. 6 Capitol attack commission MORE (D-Conn.), have also been leading a campaign to get the administration to support the waiver. An array of outside groups, including Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders and Partners in Health, also support the effort. 

Backers argue that waiving intellectual property protections on vaccines is needed to give lower-income countries the ability to manufacture vaccines themselves. Others argue that patent protections are not the main barrier to global vaccine access and that the real problem is a lack of technical expertise and capacity around extremely complex manufacturing. 

The pharmaceutical industry fiercely opposes the waiver, and points to voluntary agreements instead, like a deal between AstraZeneca and the Serum Institute of India.

In addition to Sanders, the Senate letter was signed by Democratic Sens. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenAre cranky Democrats an electoral risk? The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden wants Congress to pass abortion bill, pushes for Mideast cease-fire Sanders flexes on Biden, seeking to shape Democratic agenda MORE (Mass.), Tammy BaldwinTammy Suzanne BaldwinTo reverse the teaching shortage in low-income communities, give educators incentive to stay Senate Democrats offer bill to scrap tax break for investment managers Senate Democrats push Biden over raising refugee cap MORE (Wis.), Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownSherrod Brown pushes watchdog to keep crypto firms out of banking system Biden faces big decision on Fed leadership GOP governors face challenges from right MORE (Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyBiden's quiet diplomacy under pressure as Israel-Hamas fighting intensifies Schumer in bind over fight to overhaul elections Sweeping election reform bill faces Senate buzz saw MORE (Conn.), Jeff MerkleyJeff MerkleySchumer in bind over fight to overhaul elections Sanders: Netanyahu has cultivated 'racist nationalism' Tensions mount among Democrats over US-Israel policy MORE (Ore.), Ed MarkeyEd MarkeyQualified immunity must be ended across the board Democrats ask Facebook to abandon 'Instagram for kids' plans Ron Johnson calls cyber attacks an 'existential' threat following Colonial Pipeline shutdown MORE (Mass.), Chris Van HollenChristopher (Chris) Van HollenVenezuelans in Florida need GOP support for temporary protected status Lobbying world Tensions mount among Democrats over US-Israel policy MORE (Md.) and Raphael WarnockRaphael WarnockVoting rights hit wall in Congress amid GOP overhauls DC statehood bill picks up Senate holdout Georgia senators introduce measure allowing voters to have access to water while waiting MORE (Ga.). 

They argue that allowing the virus to continue to circulate in other countries is also a risk to the United States, given that it allows the virus to continue to mutate and for new, potentially vaccine-resistant variants to develop. 

“Emerging COVID-19 variants show more resistance to vaccines and are more infectious,” they write. “They spotlight why time is of the essence: further delay in developing immunity around the world will only lead to faster and stronger mutations.”

Major unions, another group of Democratic allies, are also backing the waiver, and several, including the AFL-CIO and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, met with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine TaiKatherine TaiSteel trade groups, union call on Biden to leave tariffs intact G20 leaders commit to 'patent-pooling' for COVID-19 vaccines: report EU suspends tariff hike on US goods in talks over Trump steel levies MORE on Tuesday.

Tai did not tip her hand on the administration’s position on the waiver in the meeting, sources said.

“The Ambassador conveyed the Administration’s commitment to increasing Covid-19 vaccine production and distribution, both at home and worldwide,” Tai's office said in a readout of the meeting. “The Ambassador sought their views on increasing vaccine availability and preventing the emergence and spread of new variants that could weaken our ability to end the pandemic.”

The senators’ letter comes ahead of a key World Trade Organization meeting in early May.