[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 201 (Thursday, November 18, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK

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                       HON. A. DREW FERGUSON, IV

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2021

  Mr. FERGUSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Antibiotic 
Awareness Week as we work to combat a looming public health and 
national security crisis that may one day be our next pandemic if left 
unaddressed: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
  Applying the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic by investing 
in pandemic preparedness now will save lives later. That is why I am 
spearheading bipartisan, bicameral legislation, the Pioneering 
Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance Act, also known 
as the PASTEUR Act.
  Through a partnership between the federal government and industry, 
this bill encourages innovative drug development to target the most 
threatening infections, improves the appropriate use of antibiotics, 
and ensures domestic availability when needed.
  Madam Speaker, as we tackle this next medical frontier, we must bring 
together the unique capabilities and resources of the public and 
private sectors to solve the market failures impeding the development 
of new lines of antibiotics.
  The PASTEUR Act accomplishes this, and I'm encouraged our legislation 
is included in a groundbreaking package introduced this week--Cures 2.0 
that builds on the 21st Century Cures Act of 2016--taking another 
important step toward addressing antimicrobial resistance.

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