[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 166 (Tuesday, December 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S12386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  MEASURE READ THE FIRST TIME--S. 1765

  Mr. REID. I send a bill to the desk regarding bioterrorism 
preparedness and ask for its first reading.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1765) to improve the ability of the United 
     States to prepare for and respond to a biological threat or 
     attack.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself, Senator 
Kennedy, and dozens of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support critical legislation that will help our Nation better prepare 
to defend against potential bioterrorist attacks.
  The Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 was first introduced on 
November 15. Today, we are reintroducing this bill so that it may be 
placed directly on the calendar and available for consideration by the 
full Senate.
  As my colleagues will note, the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act enjoys 
broad bipartisan support. We are re-introducing the legislation today 
with 71 cosponsors--33 Republicans and 38 Democrats. In addition, in 
the two weeks since the legislation was first introduced, we have 
gained the support of over two dozen organizations, including the 
American Medical Association, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, 
the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Public Health 
Association, the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools, 
and the National Association of Children's Hospitals & Related 
Institutions. The list of supporters is growing every day.
  In light of this overwhelming support and the short time remaining 
this session of Congress, we are moving the bill directly onto the 
Senate calendar so that it will be available for us to consider as soon 
as possible.
  In the wake of the attacks at the Pentagon and World Trade Center on 
September 11 and subsequent bioterrorist attacks, we know that 
bioterrorism is a significant and growing threat. I believe we must 
take steps this year to strengthen our capabilities to prepare for and 
respond to potential attacks.
  Three years ago, as Chair of the Senate Public Health Subcommittee, I 
began a series of hearings to study in-depth the ability of our 
nation's public health infrastructure--at the local, state, and 
national level--to respond to public health threats and emergencies, 
including bioterrorism. Those hearings culminated in the passage of 
legislation last year--the Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act of 
2000--intended to enhance coordination and improve resources for our 
public health system, principally at the state and local levels. But 
that authorizing legislation has never fully been funded, and it is now 
clear that more resources are needed to immediately strengthen our 
response capabilities.
  That is why I feel so strongly that we must pass the Bioterrorism 
Preparedness Act of 2001. The legislation will address gaps in our 
Nation's defenses by expanding the capabilities of local, state, and 
federal government to respond to bioterrorist attacks, improving 
coordination among those responsible for responding to bioterrorist 
threats, speeding the development of vaccines and other 
countermeasures, and safeguarding the Nation's food supply and 
agriculture.
  In closing, I want to thank my colleagues who have worked so hard to 
develop this legislation. In particular, I would like to single out 
Senator Roberts, Senator Daschle, and Senator Hutchison for their work 
on the agricultural provisions; Senators Gregg and Hutchinson for their 
contributions on the drug and vaccine development components; and 
Senator Collins for her input on the food safety provisions. Of course, 
I would also like to acknowledge my chief Democratic cosponsor, Senator 
Kennedy. I encourage my colleagues who have not yet cosponsored this 
legislation to do so. And I encourage the leadership of the Senate to 
work with Senator Kennedy and myself to find time in the days remaining 
so that this important legislation can be passed.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for the second reading and object to 
my own request.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection having been heard, the bill will 
receive its second reading on the next legislative day.

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