House Of Representatives

Updated November 04, 2009

House to Hold Hearing on Federal Response to H1N1

AP

The head of the CDC will face tough questions on the availability of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Oct. 29: People wait in line to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine from the Montgomery County Health Department in Maple Glen, Pa. (AP)

WASHINGTON -- A House committee will look into the federal response to the H1N1 virus at a hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can expect some tough questioning about the availability of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Meanwhile, a senior House lawmaker is seeking a quick floor vote on a bill to guarantee five paid sick days to workers if their employer tells them to stay home with H1N1 or a similar contagious illness.

House Education and Labor Committee chairman George Miller says his measure would protect about 50 million workers with no paid sick leave.

Many of those employees work in low-wage jobs in food service and hospitality, where they would be exposed to others and could spread their sickness. He says those workers shouldn't have to choose between their paychecks and the health of co-workers or customers.

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