Bioterrorism Defense

Congress recently approved, with my support, bipartisan legislation designed to improve our nation's ability to respond effectively and efficiently in the event of a bioterrorism emergency. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002 Conference Report, H.R. 3448, was overwhelmingly approved in the House 425-1.

We face new and emerging threats every day in the post September 11th world and it's more important than ever that we stay prepared and stay ahead of these potential challenges. With this legislation in place, local, state and federal governments will have the resources they need to better prepare for the possibility of a bioterror attack.

The legislation authorizes $300 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to increase their capabilities to better deal with threats to public health, as well as $1.15 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services to purchase additional smallpox vaccines and expand our current national stockpiles of medicines and supplies. The bill will also protect our water supply from chemical, biological or radiological attacks by authorizing over $100 million for development of vulnerability analyses and emergency response plans.

We have seen, with tragic results, that we have real vulnerabilities when it comes to bioterrorism. This bill clearly strengthens our public health infrastructure and enhances our national security.