Covid-19 Emergency Medical Supplies Enhancement Act of 2021

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3125, sponsored by my friend from California (Mr. Vargas).

His legislation would help strengthen the oversight over this issue that we are discussing today of using the Defense Production Act's authorities during this COVID-19 pandemic. It also would help streamline the use of those authorities so that we ensure that the Federal Government's response is coordinated effectively with State-led efforts.

I was proud to cosponsor this bill with my friend from California. I think every Member of this House recognized that coordination challenge during the emergency, and it was challenging in some of our States to see surplus of supply in some States and not in others.

So Mr. Vargas has attempted to focus in during the pandemic on enhancing that coordination when we are using the DPA. That coordination effort would work with private suppliers of medical items for more efficient and essential consideration when the U.S. is facing this kind of a public health emergency.

Although the U.S. appears to be exiting the pandemic now, DPA authorities are still in use to address our critical medical needs. We must be especially vigilant as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc abroad, giving rise to potential new variants that the medical community will have to monitor closely.

Of course, we are all now far more sensitized to the pandemic risks that may arise with little notice in the future. Mr. Vargas' legislation provides a blueprint for deploying the DPA more rapidly should we face a public health emergency in the years ahead, all while allowing for appropriate, active congressional oversight.

I am happy to cosponsor my friend's legislation. I appreciate the bipartisan work that we have shared undertaking this item in the House Financial Services Committee.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank my friend from California for his attention to this effort, particularly with the Federal oversight of how the DPA is used; what we can learn in this extraordinary past year that we have experienced; and how we can be better prepared not only now as we assess those contracts and the use of the Defense Production Act in this pandemic, but how we, as I said, can have a blueprint for the future. I congratulate him for his work and I appreciate his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source