A bill backed by Rep. John Katko is meant to better prepare the federal government for the next wave of coronavirus cases. 

The measure, which comes as cases continue to grow in the south and western regions of the country, would require federal government agencies to develop plans for how they would respond to a potential second wave of the pandemic, measurable goals, what challenges are anticipated and how they would consult with Congress. 

The plans would have to be submitted to Congress as well. 

The proposal comes as cases in New York have subsided to about a 1 percent positive rate out of more than 50,000 tests conducted each day. 

But the virus has gained a foothold in states like Florida, Texas and California, leading to a multi-state 14-day quarantine for people traveling into New York.

Katko, a Syracuse-area Republican up for re-election this year, introduced the measure with a Democrat from Illinois. 

“With reports of COVID-19 spiking in most states, Central New York working families, frontline healthcare workers, and business owners are concerned that we will experience a ‘second wave.’ With our community still confronting the devastating impacts of COVID-19, we cannot in good faith move forward without learning from the missteps made by those overseeing the response effort. Central New Yorkers deserve assurance that the Administration and Federal Government are fully prepared to prevent and respond to any widespread increases in COVID-19 cases,” Katko said in a statement. 

“For this reason, I introduced the COVID PREPARE Act. This bipartisan bill would require federal agencies to develop and submit reports on how they would respond to a resurgence of COVID-19. While I remain focused on delivering relief to those impacted by the pandemic, I believe equally critical is our preparation and preparedness to effectively combat a resurgence of cases.”​