Congressmen Mike Ezell (MS-04) and John Garamendi (CA-08) today introduced the Facilitate Access to Swiftly Transport Goods during a Publicly Announced State of Emergency Situation (FAST PASS) Act, a bipartisan bill designed to expedite the movement of critical cargo during an emergency.

The FAST PASS Act would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a study on strategies to swiftly transport critical cargo such as medical supplies in declared emergencies while mitigating the impact on non-critical cargo.

"When America faces emergencies like Hurricane Katrina or the COVID-19 pandemic, our supply chains must be ready to respond. That's why we're introducing the FAST PASS Act, which will help get critical supplies across the country quickly and efficiently," said Congressman Ezell. "I'm grateful to have Congressman Garamendi's help leading this bipartisan bill so our transportation system is better prepared for future emergencies."

"As the COVID-19 pandemic revealed, congestion and supply chain crunches at American ports for medical supplies and other critical cargo can be a matter of life and death," Congressman Garamendi said. "I am pleased to co-author this important bill with Congressman Ezell to ensure the U.S. Department of Transportation can expedite delivery of critical cargo at our nation’s ports when American jobs and, even more importantly, lives are on the line."

"The FAST PASS Act will take steps towards expediting medical supplies at ports and marine terminals on to rail and truck transport during emergencies like COVID," said Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA) President and CEO Matthew J. Rowan. "During public health emergencies, essential medical supply shipments need to be prioritized. HIDA is grateful to Representatives Ezell and Garamendi for introducing this important legislation and for their leadership on transportation issues impacting our healthcare."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of containers of critical medical supplies faced delays of nearly a month throughout the transportation system. Delays are also often experienced in the wake of natural disasters across the country.

Congressmen Ezell and Garamendi serve together on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.