Senate Agriculture Committee approves resolution urging USDA, CDC to create avian influenza vaccine reserve

Chair (name not specified), Senate Agriculture Committee, said the committee would advance a concise resolution aimed at federal agencies and moved the measure forward during the hearing on April 30, 2025.

The resolution, identified in committee as SR 14, “strongly urg[es] the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, to expedite the establishment and information of an avian influenza vaccine, national reserve, and distribution system for small and medium sized poultry virus,” the chair said while summarizing the text for the record.

The motion to adopt SR 14 passed by roll call with five yes votes and no opposing votes. The votes recorded during the roll call were: Senator Calamore — yes; Senator Efferman — yes; Senator Majors — yes; Senator Plunkett — yes; Senator Ingalls — yes. The clerk announced a tally of 5 yeses, 0 nos.

Committee members said little else on the resolution during the meeting; the chair indicated the committee had already reviewed the language and that it did not warrant extensive separate reports. The clerk and chair discussed procedural matters and whether a formal report was required; the chair said he did not believe one was necessary.

SR 14 is an expression of the committee’s position directed at federal agencies; the resolution does not create state law or appropriate funds. The committee did not attach funding or implementation details to the resolution in the meeting record, and any federal action would be subject to USDA and CDC determinations.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after adopting SR 14; the resolution will be transmitted according to Senate committee procedures.