[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE ACT OF 2020

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                               speech of

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 21, 2020

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7574, the 
Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2020. I'm 
proud to have advanced this bipartisan bill through my Health 
Subcommittee and I'm pleased to support it on the Floor.
  I'm also proud that this legislation includes my bill with 
Representative Susan Brooks to allow the SNS to sell and transfer soon-
to-be expired supplies to other government agencies, stretching 
taxpayer dollars so we can respond to the current pandemic and be 
prepared for the next.
  The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many sad and startling realities 
in our country. One of the most surprising is that the Strategic 
National Stockpile, established in 2003 to respond to public health 
emergencies like the one we're currently experiencing, was completely 
unprepared for the current outbreak.
  When we opened the door of the SNS, the cupboard was bare, and 
American lives were lost. Today we're considering the Strengthening 
America's Strategic National Stockpile Act to address some of these 
shortcomings.
  This legislation requires that the contents of the SNS be in good 
working order and mandates that the Assistant Secretary for 
Preparedness and Response and CDC implement a transparent process for 
the use and distribution of such supplies.
  The bill increases reporting on how supplies are procured for the 
SNS, as well as requires reporting on states' requests for supplies 
during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
  While we cannot erase the failures of the SNS during the current 
pandemic, we can ensure that the stockpile is adequately supplied and 
maintained so we can be better prepared for the next public health 
emergency.
  I'm proud to be an original sponsor of H.R. 7574 and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.

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