The Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved a bill on Tuesday aimed at officially ending the health emergency declared by Covid-19.
The approval in the chamber was given with 220 votes in favor and 210 against, but now the process must have the endorsement of the Senate, led by the Democrats.
The text, which was promoted by Republican legislator Brett Guthrie, establishes that the US must terminate the emergency at the time of its promulgation.
Likewise, the Lower House endorsed this Tuesday a legislative proposal to end the vaccination requirement against Covid-19 for health workers whose centers receive federal aid, the EFE agency reported.
The regulation was approved with 227 votes in favor, as seven Democratic legislators joined the bill that was promoted by the Republicans.
The White House Office of Management and Budget said earlier on Monday that the United States will stop considering the Covid-19 pandemic a national emergency starting May 11, so the disease will be treated as an endemic virus.
The plan focuses on extending until May the current national emergency and public health emergency declarations that were decreed in 2020 by former President Donald Trump, and then suspending both, the US government indicated.
The White House argued that this period will avoid chaos and uncertainty in the health system, which would occur if the Republican initiative that contemplates the immediate cessation of statements prospers.
In December, Congress determined that additional measures that were part of the emergency declaration, such as additional funding for the states, would be phased out, but conservatives want to cut funding in the bud.
With information from the EFE agency