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HR 3694 117th Congress House Foreign Trade and International Finance Cardiovascular and respiratory health Congressional oversight Emergency medical services and trauma care Government information and archives Health care coverage and access Health technology, devices, supplies Immunology and vaccination Infectious and parasitic diseases Intellectual property Manufacturing Product development and innovation Research and development Trade agreements and negotiations World health

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative and other heads of Federal agencies, to submit to Congress a report on the impact of…

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To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative and other heads of Federal agencies, to submit to Congress a report on the impact of a waiver of certain obligations of member nations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights on global COVID-19 vaccine access, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 4, 2021 Introduced by: Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" Republican · Georgia See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 4, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jun 4, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit a report analyzing the impact on global COVID-19 vaccine access of a waiver of certain obligations held by nations who are members of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. (India and South Africa previously submitted a petition to suspend all intellectual property rights associated with COVID-19 innovations, such as vaccines.)

Based on this report, the U.S. Trade Representative must oppose such elimination or waiver with respect to COVID-19 vaccines if HHS determines that the elimination or waiver will not materially increase global vaccine access or that it will have a negative impact on specified factors relating to access to, manufacture of, and investment in COVID-19 vaccines.

What's happening now June 4, 2021

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Lobbying activity 3

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3694: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative and other heads of Federal agencies, to submit to Congress a report on the impact of a waiver of certain obligations of member nations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights on global COVID-19 vaccine access, and for other purposes.. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3694/
MLA
"H.R. 3694: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative and other heads of Federal agencies, to submit to Congress a report on the impact of a waiver of certain obligations of member nations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights on global COVID-19 vaccine access, and for other purposes.." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3694/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3694, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3694/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3694: To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative and other heads of Federal agencies, to submit to Congress a report on the impact of a waiver of certain obligations of member nations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights on global COVID-19 vaccine access, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3694/)
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