East central Iowa | The first clause of Article I, Section 8, reads, "The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States."
Just as the federal government pays farmers because it's in the national interest to have a dependable food supply and just as the federal government paid out billions recently to "stimulate" the economy it would be consistent for the federal government to pay for treatment and vaccine if one were found for Covid19.
A nation on the brink of depression and millions threatened by a disease certainly qualifies as something that endangers the general welfare. It's not different than an invading army for which the federal government funds our military.
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Paying for the cure.
