[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 187 (Wednesday, December 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PANDEMIC AND ALL-HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2011

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2405, 
the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2011. 
I am pleased to report that this legislation represents a bipartisan 
effort to make certain that our nation is prepared to successfully 
manage the effects of natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, 
and acts of bioterrorism.
  The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act 
reauthorizes and makes minor--but important--improvements to programs 
and activities first established in the 2004 Project Bioshield Act and 
the 2006 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, also known as 
PAHPA. Let me highlight three provisions that deserve particular 
attention.
  First, with respect to the Food and Drug Administration, we took 
great care to ensure that the agency is focusing on the medical 
countermeasures--or products that combat chemical, biological, 
radioactive, and nuclear agents--of highest importance. As we all know, 
if everything is given priority, then nothing is truly a priority. H.R. 
2405 requires FDA to work with industry on industry-submitted 
regulatory management plans for prioritized countermeasures to 
facilitate scientific exchanges between the FDA and product sponsors to 
streamline our ability to make these products available.
  Second, the legislation makes improvements to the nation's blueprint 
for public health preparedness and response activities that will 
enhance the ability of the health care system to respond to mass 
casualty emergencies.
  Finally, H.R. 2405 continues investment in state and local public 
health departments to ensure we have the requisite infrastructure to 
respond to public health threats.
  I'd like to thank Congressman Rogers and Congressman Green--the 
sponsors of the legislation--for their hard work on H.R. 2405. I'd also 
like to recognize Congresswoman Myrick, Congresswoman Eshoo, and 
Congressman Markey who contributed a great deal to the Committee's work 
on this bill.
  I understand that Senator Burr and Senator Casey have recently 
introduced comparable legislation in the Senate. I look forward to 
working with our Senate colleagues on this issue and sending final 
PAHPRA legislation to the President for his signature.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

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