Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3635, Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act, which was spearheaded by Representatives Hudson and Slotkin. This legislation includes several critical initiatives that will improve the Strategic National Stockpile, or SNS.

First, the bill allows the SNS to transfer products between federal agencies and to ensure they are used before their expiration.

Second, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to examine user fee agreements, ensure the SNS products are in working order, and allows agreements with domestic producers to improve the supply chain to refresh and replenish existing stocks.

Third, the bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to report on distributions from the SNS, as well as requests for supplies from State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies.

Finally, the bill authorizes a pilot program to establish State stockpiles. We must ensure our country is prepared to combat the next health crisis, no matter if it is from a disease, disaster, or terrorism.

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson), my colleague, and a primary sponsor of this piece of legislation.

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

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Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this piece of legislation.

Fortunately, the last big pandemic that came across the country was in 1918, the flu pandemic, so over 100 years. What we learned, although it was well-planned and all, the Strategic National Stockpile, until you really face a pandemic like we have, you don't truly understand exactly everything you need to do, although the Strategic National Stockpile was there, it was drawn from, it was used. There were a lot of lessons learned.

Madam Speaker, it is important that we apply these lessons. I appreciate my colleagues for doing this, moving forward. Hopefully, it will be another 100 years or more before we have to use the Strategic National Stockpile, but it certainly is prudent that we are ready.

Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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