Committee explores Brooks bill to improve readiness, response to biological threats

Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Susan W. Brooks (R-IN) to improve readiness for biological threats and incentivize the development of vaccines and treatments was the subject of a Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Thursday.

The subcommittee evaluated the Public Health Emergency Response Act, H.R. 3299, which would reinstate original contracting authority under the Biomedical Advanced Research Develop Authority (BARDA) to cut red tape and improve response times.

“Our national readiness and biodefense capabilities are underprepared,” Brooks said. “The threat to our national security posed by dangerous and deadly diseases and pathogens, like Ebola or anthrax, is constant and cannot be under estimated. The legislation we considered (on Thursday) is the result of more than a year of bipartisan work at this committee, and I look forward to further consideration of this proposal to better protect the health and safety of the American people.”

The legislation, introduced by Brooks and U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), would also expand the Priority Review Voucher program for material threats listed by the Department of Homeland Security, and it would expand incentives for the development of treatments and vaccines for neglected diseases.

“When biological threats are considered, the most important part of our preparedness is the successful development of vaccines and treatments before a biological threat or attack occurs,” Brooks said. “Having treatments and vaccines ready when a biological threat like Ebola strikes has immeasurable benefits, not the least of which is significantly limiting the scope of the outbreak. Given reports that ISIS is pursuing chemical and biological weapons, we must act now to prepare ourselves for the challenges that these kinds of weapons pose to our collective health and security.”