The Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense on Wednesday applauded legislation advanced by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security to ensure that the U.S. is prepared for biological threats, including the Zika virus.
The National Biodefense Strategy Act of 2016, S. 2967, introduced by U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) would enact key recommendations from the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, which provides recommendations to improve defense against bioterrorism, pandemics and accidental releases, to ensure that the U.S. is prepared for emerging biological threats.
The legislation would also amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the execution of a national biodefense strategy.
“HSGAC (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee) has taken a very important step in requiring the administration to harmonize a trove of directives and policies that direct a $6 billion biodefense system,” former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), the co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel, said. “The lack of a comprehensive, cohesive, and regularly updated strategy has undoubtedly resulted in pervasive stovepipes, duplicative spending and unmet needs.
“I am especially concerned that we have separate presidential directives for human biodefense and for defense of agriculture. We cannot expect to handle diseases that spread easily between people and animals when our governance is not aligned optimally. Zika virus very likely has an animal reservoir, and we need all of our agencies on the same page to prevent its spread. This is just one area in which I think this bill will do an enormous amount of good.”
An October report by the Blue Ribbon Panel found that the lack of a comprehensive, cohesive and regularly updated strategy has caused disorganization and confusion, especially as administrations change, taking institutional knowledge with them. The report also identified capability gaps and recommended changes to U.S. policy and law to increase national biodefense capabilities while optimizing resource investments.
“The major presidential directives, public laws and international treaties and partnerships directing federal biodefense efforts number no less than 25, and that is an extremely conservative estimate,” former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, the Blue Ribbon Panel co-chair, said. “Like many aspects of homeland security, I believe this proliferation reflects a well-intentioned system that has become too fragmented to be enforced and implemented in a coherent, prioritized and unitary fashion. I strongly urge the full Senate to take up this bill, and believe the strategic approach it requires will save both lives and dollars.”