Rep. Katie Porter Convinces CDC Director To Provide Free Coronavirus Testing

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 19: U.S. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) speaks as other House Democrats listen during an event at the Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol December 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. House Democrats held an event celebrating the "legislative progress the House Democratic Majority has made For The People in 2019.” (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) did something remarkable today. She used math to get a CDC official to commit free coronavirus testing. The Washington Post writes about this exchange Porter had with CDC director Robert Redfield. It happened Thursday during a congressional hearing on coronavirus:

“Will you commit to invoking that and to provide testing for every American?”

He repeatedly declined to commit, saying that CDC is collaborating with the Department of Health and Human Services to “operationalize” their response.

Porter persisted. “You can make that commitment now,” she said, demanding a response. “My answer is yes,” Redfield finally replied.