To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the Strategic National Stockpile, and for other purposes.
Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2021
This bill makes changes to the administration and management of the Strategic National Stockpile.
Among these changes, the bill authorizes through September 30, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to transfer supplies from the stockpile to any federal departments or agencies under certain conditions. HHS must also ensure the contents of the stockpile remain in working order and may enter into maintenance service contracts to carry out this requirement.
Furthermore, as part of its management of the stockpile, HHS must establish and maintain domestic reserves of certain supplies, including by entering into cooperative agreements or partnerships to access facilities and equipment to produce these supplies. The authority for such agreements and partnerships terminates on September 30, 2024.
Additionally, the bill temporarily authorizes HHS to award grants to states for maintaining stockpiles of certain equipment and supplies for use during public health emergencies.
HHS must also develop transparent processes for the use and distribution of supplies from the stockpile that address, for example, the prioritization of requests. Additionally, during the COVID-19 emergency, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response must report monthly on requests for supplies from states, tribes, and other jurisdictions. These reports must include the rationale for any partially fulfilled or denied requests.
Lastly, the Government Accountability Office must study the feasibility of establishing user fees to offset costs for procuring single-source materials for, and distributing such materials from, the stockpile.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5651-5654)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3635.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5701)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 22 (Roll no. 322).(text: CR 10/19/2021 H5651-5653)
Roll Call #322 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 22 (Roll no. 322). (text: CR 10/19/2021 H5651-5653)
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Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.