Bipartisan BioShield Legislation Introduced

Feb. 27, 2007
Project BioShield Material Threats Act of 2007 (H.R. 1089), an effort to facilitate more rapid completion of material threat assessments of dangerous chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, has been introduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

Rep. James Langevin (D, R.I.), chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, and Rep. Mike McCaul (R, Tex.), ranking member of the subcommittee, joined together with full Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D, Miss.) and Ranking Member Peter King (R, N.Y.) to introduce H.R. 1089.

The BioShield Program was created to develop and procure medical countermeasures against dangerous chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for determining threats posed to the United States by these agents, and for taking specific steps to protect the nation's citizens from these threats.

"While I fully support the mission of BioShield, the program has encountered several problems since it was enacted nearly three years ago," said Langevin. "Rather than examining each threat individually, we should be looking for ways to properly group these threats together, so we can develop appropriate countermeasures to combat multiple threats."

He said he hopes thes legislation will promote a more strategic use of national resources when procuring medical countermeasures "and will ultimately lead to a safer and better-prepared public health infrastructure."

McCaul noted that while effective medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents are a critical part of the nation's defense against terrorism, "very few exist. This legislation will substantially expedite DHS' material threat assessments and determinations and help bring countermeasures to the public faster and more effectively, enhancing our nation's ability to defend against and respond to the growing biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear threats."

Thompson noted that the legislation requires the secretary of Homeland Security to complete threat assessments for all high-risk agents by the end of 2007.

"This bill will accelerate the acquisition of medical countermeasures, allowing us to better protect our first responders, healthcare workers and citizens nationwide," said King.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

What is the key difference between OSHAS 18001 vs. ISO 45001

March 13, 2025
Learn about the main differences between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001, and how ISO 45001 takes a proactive approach to prevent work-related incidents. Find out why businesses should...

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!