Congressman Kim Presses for Answers on PPE Supply,
Federal Government Response of Coronavirus Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) pressed United States Comptroller General, Gene L. Dodaro, head of the Government Accountability Office, on the federal government’s readiness to handle increased cases of COVID-19 and the lack of transparency of the Strategic National Stockpile, at a hearing of the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

Today’s briefing comes following the release of the Government Accountability Office’s report to Congress entitled, “COVID-19:  Opportunities to Improve Federal Response and Recovery Efforts”, which details federal failures on testing and distribution of personal protection equipment, as well as various issues with the Paycheck Protection Program.

“I’m very concerned about the Trump Administration’s failures when it comes to providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies that our communities need to keep safe,” said Congressman Kim citing a report that an HHS exercise in August of 2019 warned that the Strategic National Stockpile was not sufficient to keep America safe during a pandemic.

Congressman Kim directly asked the Comptroller General about steps that should have been taken to rebuild the Strategic National Stockpile and if there was a current inventory of personal protective equipment in the stockpile; the Comptroller General could not answer if there is an inventory of this critical equipment.

The Congressman’s full remarks and questions to experts testifying before the Select Committee can be found here.

Information about Congressman Kim’s actions to contain the Coronavirus pandemic and address the ongoing economic impact can be found on his website by clicking here.

Congressman Kim is a member of the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis, where he serves as one of twelve members of the House tasked with conducting oversight over programs aimed at ending the Coronavirus pandemic and helping address the economic impact it’s having on the American people. Congressman Kim is also a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Small Business. More information about Congressman Kim can be found on his website by clicking here.

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