At a joint hearing on the coronavirus and the procurement of personal protective equipment and other medical supplies. This rants an hour and a half. Joint hearing will come to order. Let me begin by thanking everyone for joining us today. I hope that my colleagues, our witnesses and viewers are staying healthy and safe. I want to thank chairman pain and Ranking Member king of the Emergency Preparedness response and recovery subcommittee, for coming together with Ranking Member crenshaw and i to hold this hearing. We are here to discuss federal and state efforts to picker critical supplies and response to the coronavirus pandemic. First, i want to acknowledge that the federal Emergency Management agency, fema, who is put in charge of the federal governments response was asked to testify today. While fema is not here today, i understand that and miss straighter gaynor plans to appear before the full Committee Later this month. Im pleased to hear this because it is vital that we Work Together to face this challenge. I look forward to meeting with administrator gaynor and hearing what our witnesses have to share today to inform that discussion. Theres no denying that the coronavirus pandemic has presented unparalleled challenges. One of the greatest challenges has been securing adequate testing supplies and personal protective equipment, or ppe, such as gowns, gloves, surgical masks and and 95 respirators. A certain Global Demand for the supplies, most of which are produced overseas, costs caused severe shortages. Especially for those on the front lines. In response, the federal government distributed the limited supplies in the Strategic National stockpile. This caused states to find their own supplies to distribute two areas with the greatest need. As a result, competition within the United States intensified as states began competing against each other. The federal government and other buyers around the world. This competition for limited resources drove up prices and attracted new brokers into the marketplace that were inexperienced and unreliable. Buyers with less purchasing power such as smaller states and rural areas had greater difficulty obtaining supplies. Some states and major hospitals have been able to replenish supplies, but reports of shortages among Health Care Workers, especially those in nursing care settings, still exist. Demand for supplies is only expected to grow as several states continue to experience rapidly rising rates of new infections and hospitalizations. Public Health Officials also predict a second wave of infections will come this fall. We must all consider also consider the ppe needs of not Health Care Workers if we want to sexually reopen the economy. Therefore, its important to discuss Lessons Learned from the past six months to improve the procurement and distribution of critical needs and supplies in the future. This includes revisiting the appointment of fema as the elite of the federal response effort in mid march, more than six weeks after the Coronavirus White House Task force was formed. A delay that unquestionably put the agency at a disadvantage of executing such a formidable task. Fema is well versed in responding to disasters, but it has struggled to procure supplies in the wake of multiple disasters in the past. In a joint subcommittee hearing last may, we discussed longstanding challenges with femas process for bidding vendors and overseeing disaster contracts awarded by state and local governments. Im concerned that fema once again awarded contracts to vendors who cannot deliver during the pandemic. In one case, fema canceled a 55 Million Dollar contract for 10 million and 95 respirators after the company, which conducts Tactical Training and has no history of procuring medical equipment, failed to deliver the masks. Another case, fema warned states not to use testing equipment acquired under a 10 Million Dollar contract because it was believed to be contaminated. This company that produced the equipment was formed just six days before fema aborted the contract. I also worry whether Pandemic Response activities have already fatigued femas historically understaffed contracting workforce, which is concerning since were only one month into the 2020 Hurricane Season and entering an active wildfire season. I look forward to hearing from our Witnesses Today on their views of the most role in leading the federal response effort and how we can Work Together to improve the procurement and distribution of critical pandemic supplies. Thank you again for joining us today. Since we have a number of members joining today, i will be vigilant and watching the clock and ask that my colleagues be mindful of their Time Available for statements and questions. The chair now recognizes the Ranking Member of the subcommittee of oversight management and accountability, the gentleman from texas, mr. Crenshaw for an Opening Statement. Thank you chairwoman small and pain. Im pleased to participate in this hearing today. Todays hearing is to examine matters related to the management, distribution of medical supplies and response to the pandemic. This topic is of the utmost importance for our country and each of our states. My state of texas recently experienced a uptick in cases as well as 33 other states. Many are holding steady, but only three states saw a decline in number of cases last week. To see cases increasing, we must ensure that our Health Care Providers and First Responders have the equipment they need to provide treatment while protecting themselves exploring the spread of the virus. The size and scope of this response effort is unprecedented. Weve not experienced anything like this in the history of our country. Some experts have compare this to the outbreak of the spanish flu in 1918, but today, we are much more mobile society. Our economy and supply chain is much more interconnected in the world. We are using many of the same tools like social distancing, many of the tools Health Professionals are using today are not produced and United States. Because our pharmaceuticals are not produced domestically, we are competing for the rest of the world for the supplies we need to treat our people. Countries like china have a stranglehold on medical supply chain. We must take steps to regain control of the supply chain from the communist regime. This is especially important during a Global Pandemic. To make matters worse, theres evidence that china deliberately misled the world about the extent of the country while hoarding critical medical supplies and decreasing exports to the rest of the world. We know the true number if we had known the true number of individual infected in china, we wouldve stockpiled medical supplies and known they would have not been enough to meet demand started producing them earlier. Administration took steps to increase availability of necessary supplies. Fema was put in charge of distribution of medical supplies rather than hhs because of its logistical capabilities and relationship with state and local emergency managers. We established project our bridge to find medical supplies and quickly get them to where they are needed. The present use the defense production act to get u. S. Companies to join the fight against covid19. Ford, ge and General Motors stepped up and assisting the production of ventilators. Our, a u. S. Company that makes u. S. Hockey equipment, stopped creating hockey visors and start creating face shields for medical professionals. For cloth coverings became a necessity for millions americans, Company Started producing masks. Many distillers started producing handstand a ties or a set of alcohol. American companies are not just needing ppe and medical equipment demand but looking forward. In a month and a half, houstons megastar founder took this idea for a filter that can kill covid from an idea to a prototype. They tested and proven concept they kills 99. 8 of the virus. These are just a few of the examples of u. S. Companies stepping up to support our country during the crisis. Many other companies have donated portions of their profits to aid and in the fight against covid. We continue to learn more about this virus and the best ways to prevent its spread. We must continue to build our stockpile of medical supplies so our First Responders and medical practitioners have the supplies they need. I yield back. Thank you Ranking Member crenshaw. I now recognize the chairman of the subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness response and recovery. The gentleman from new jersey, mr. Payne, for an Opening Statement. Thank you madam chair. Its an honor and privilege to be with you and my colleagues here today. First, i would like to say that i hope everyone and their loved ones are staying safe and healthy. Also, my condolences to those who lost loved ones because of the coronavirus. I would like to thank chairwoman small and Ranking Member crenshaw of the oversight management and accountability subcommittee, for coming together with Ranking Member king and i to hold this hearing. I would also like to thank the witnesses for being here today to discuss pandemic challenges with the supplies and procurement. A topic that is so incredibly important for our country at this moment. For too many communities, the pandemic is continuing to get worse. The magnitude of this pandemic is devastating. It didnt have to be this way, but there was a clear lack of leadership. Most importantly, at the white house itself. A lack of leadership extended to the federal governments procurement strategy and those effects have been felt by states, local governments and frontline workers who are trying to contain covid19 around the country without the proper ppe or supplies. Instead of taking proactive steps early on to invoke the defense production act, build up our supply reserves and initiating a whole of Government Procurement strategy and quickly getting tests and supplies and other vital medical equipment out to communities. President trump was instead downplaying the threat of this virus and telling the American People than it was under control and was a problem that was going away. I hope its clear now that with 3 million cases in well over 130,000 deaths nationwide and daily cases on the rise, the virus was not and is still not under control. During the pandemic, states have been left to fend for themselves while dealing with a market there was an subscribed and unregulated. This led to chaos. The front lines with our Health Care Workers having to reuse masks or use trash bags as gowns in an effort to try to protect themselves. Efforts by the federal government to address supply shortages has also been marred with problems. These problems include the lack of coordination that have played the entire federal response. The initial response was disorganized, it waste valuable time that could have been used better to prepare for what was to come. These problems continue today. The head of the supply Chain Stabilization Task force recently testified that the federal government still does not have information on the state stockpiles of ppe or other supplies. Project airbridge, which has now been retired, but reports have stated in many states and cities were not aware whether supplies brought into the country drew project airbridge were coming into their jurisdictions. Further, some shipments of ppe to Nursing Homes around the country were reportedly inefficient supplies. Finally, federal government contracts for supplies were not vetted properly before being awarded. This includes a 10 Million Dollar contract for testing supplies. The agency then had to tell states not to use them because the supplies were produced in unsanitary conditions. Given famous history of meant failures, Congress Must conduct rigorous oversight to ensure past problems are fixed going forward. Neglecting to correct these mistakes will result in this unnecessary lives lost. An outcome that we all want to avoid. Getting it right as soon as possible is especially important as there are growing reports of ppe shortages. This as states see a steep increase in new cases. To explore these topics, im glad that we have such an esteemed panel of experts here to help shed light on how we can do better in procuring, and distributing supplies. Thank you very much and i yield back. Thank you chairman pain. The chair now recognizes the chairman of the full committee. The gentleman from mississippi. Mr. Thompson for an Opening Statement. Chairman thompson, if you would not mind putting yourself off mute . Nothing like being told. Thank you very much madam chair. First of all, let me thank everyone for being here. Like chairman pain indicated, i hope all as well. Its always good seeing you. Youve been a stellar person all your public career. The covid19 pandemic has put our nation in crisis. Today, the United States has reported over 3 million covid19 cases and well over 130,000 people have died from complications associated with the virus. Even as states continue to set daily records for infections and new hotspots begin to emerge, the nations top medical experts and scientists are predicting a second wave of covid19 infections. Obtaining and distributing critical supplies and medical equipment has proven to be among the most important and challenging factors in responding to covid19. American people are looking to the federal government for leadership and support as the nation navigates these troubling times. The absence of leadership from the white house has resulted in a lack of a clear coordinated federal procurement strategy and has caused complications and delays in states getting essential equipment. For example, President Trump told governors that the federal government is not supposed to be out there buying best amounts of items and then shipping. We are not a shipping clerk. That caused panic and chaos in the procurement process and reduced states abilities to acquire what they need. In an instant, states have to compete not only with each other but , but also with the rest of the world for these critical surprises. When fema took a larger role in a federal response six weeks after the pandemic started, its main responsibility was to improve the nations access to these critical supplies through innovative innovations like the supply Chain Stabilization Task force and project a bridge. However, it was unrealistic to think that fema could come in and manage a full blown crisis while planning for natural disasters. Also, doing it with a Contract Task force that has been overworked and underfunded over past years. States reported issues with communication surrounding equipment availability and delivery timeframes. Just last week, the governor of illinois called project airbridge and utter and complete failure in testimony before this committee. That assessment is uninspiring given the accounts of non federal volunteers led by jared kushner, being embedded in fema, to work on project a bridge. He further contributed to confusion over who was in charge. While the committee repeatedly asked for more information on project air bridge, fema has yet to provide the requested documents and information needed for us to do our oversight work. Though fema was the administrations choice for this mission because of its experience in disaster contracting and logistics, it has had a history of disaster contracting challenges. Infamous contracting fiascoes like the bronze star and tribute during the 2017 Hurricane Season, femas difficulty and getting its procurement responsibilities right during the height of disasters. Fema still struggles in this area, with the agency having to cancel a 55 Million Dollar contract in may for its failure to deliver any of the in 95 masks that the company promised. The company had no Prior Experience obtaining medical supplies or equipment and its Parent Company was bankrupt. The company should never have been awarded the contract in the first place. As covid19 cases continue to rise in states across the country, we must learn from our mistakes and adapt the federal response to better meet the needs of our communities and frontline workers. There is still time to get fema on track with this procurement process in hope that the nations preparedness posture will be much improved as we continue to battle the growing first wave of covid19 and prepare for a possible second wave in the fall. Im grateful to the witnesses for taking the time to be here today to contribute to this important discussion. With that madam chair, i yield back the remainder of my time. Thank you chairman thompson. Other members of the committee are reminded that under the committee rules, Opening Statements may be submitted for the re