Washington, D.C. -- Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health Republican Leader Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) sent a letter to Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) to call for a hearing on the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

With a wide range of jurisdiction over the health sector and federal agencies directly involved in the response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee has a responsibility to actively examine through hearings how to improve efforts to fight COVID-19, as well as conduct oversight as resources provided by Congress are being deployed.

Today, Burgess called on Eshoo to hold a hearing to examine concerns with distribution of SNS supplies, and to review bipartisan bills to strengthen the SNS.

“…it is critical that the Committee evaluate the mission and capabilities of the SNS, review lessons learned from the current crisis, and expeditiously consider bipartisan legislation to strengthen the SNS so that it can more effectively assist state and local partners in the ongoing response to the pandemic, as well as future public health emergencies,” wrote Burgess.

Like improving the SNS, there are many opportunities to conduct essential work on bipartisan issues to improve response efforts to this pandemic that is claiming lives. However, the Health Subcommittee is using time and resources next week to conduct a partisan hearing on a whistleblower complaint that was only made public days ago, rather than examine urgent issues like Strategic National Stockpile.

Whistleblowers should be heard, and there are mechanisms to conduct thorough nonpartisan investigations. The committee should let that process work and focus on the needs of Americans in this critical moment.  

CLICK HERE to read the letter.