Stockpile Needs Clear Mission From Congress, Top Senator Says (1)

Congress needs to clarify the Strategic National Stockpile’s mission and role to prevent issues with getting necessary supplies during public health emergencies in the future, a top Republican senator said Wednesday.

The U.S. is “paying the price for this lack of articulation and clarity during the current pandemic,” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said during a hearing of his committee.

The hearing comes as health-care workers have struggled to get enough personal protective equipment during the Covid-19 crisis.

The Trump administration has taken steps to increase production of masks, gloves, N95 respirators and other ...