Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) introduced the State Strategic Stockpile Act, a bill to reauthorize a program supporting states in developing and maintaining stockpiles of critical drugs, vaccines, and other medical supplies in case of a public health emergency or major disaster.

Recent natural disasters, such as the hurricanes impacting Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, as well as the California wildfires, highlight how important it is to have statewide emergency response resources. A robust Strategic National Stockpile provides ways for states to have treatments and products on hand for their specific needs. This pilot program will supplement – not replace - the federal Strategic National Stockpile by empowering states to procure state or regional-specific products.

“As a result of a pandemic and devastating hurricanes, Georgia’s health care providers and patients have struggled to access critical medical supplies. We can never let this happen again,” said Rep. Carter. “This bipartisan bill ensures that states have the resources they need to respond quickly to future public health emergencies without solely relying on the federal government.”

“National security is about more than defense; it’s about protecting the well-being of every American, especially in times of crisis,” said Rep. Veasey. “This bill strengthens the national stockpile by empowering states like Texas to maintain their own critical resources. When disaster strikes, states must be able to respond quickly with the supplies they need, ensuring access to life-saving treatments to quickly protect their citizens and respond to public health emergencies.”

“We’ve seen firsthand how critical it is for states to be prepared for public health emergencies—whether it’s a pandemic, natural disaster, or another crisis," said Dr. Miller-Meeks. "The State Strategic Stockpile Act ensures states have the resources and flexibility they need to respond swiftly and effectively, without waiting on Washington. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to strengthen our preparedness and protect lives.”

"In the event of another national public health emergency, the nation must be prepared. To do so, we can already rely on our federal Strategic National Stockpile, but each state needs it own resources close at hand and tailored to its geography and specific citizen needs,” said Rep. Houlahan. “I am proud to lead on this bipartisan bill to ensure states like Pennsylvania, which was affected by pandemic supply shortages, can respond more quickly to epidemics and public health emergencies by having and maintaining its own supplemental stockpile.”

“It’s essential that our states be prepared for the worst,” said Rep. Mackenzie. “Covid reminded us that first responders rely on their states to secure the resources that they need in order to save lives. The State Strategic Stockpile Act empowers states to take charge of public health emergency preparedness and keep Americans safe. "

Read the full bill text here.