Watch CBS News

Sununu, Baker call on President Biden to end COVID public health emergency

Federal government offering more free COVID-19 tests for winter
Federal government offering more free COVID-19 tests for winter 00:21

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker are joining 23 other Republican governors in calling on President Joe Biden to end the COVID national emergency.

The governors wrote in a letter to the White House that "the emergency phase of the pandemic is behind us" and "it is time we move on."

Biden told 60 minutes "the pandemic is over" in September and the Senate passed a resolution to end the emergency. But COVID is spiking again for the holidays - part of a "tridemic" with the flu and RSV that is overwhelming frontline health care workers. 

The White House last week released its "COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan" that made more free COVID test kits available to Americans and encouraged vaccination against the virus.

The governors argue that the national emergency is "costing states hundreds of millions of dollars" due to Medicaid requirements under the declaration.

Click here to read the letter, which was led by Sununu. 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.