[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2803-S2804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 704. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 2226, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2024 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal
[[Page S2804]]
year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as
follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. ___. NATIONAL BIODEFENSE ANALYSIS AND COUNTERMEASURES
CENTER.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Homeland Security Act of
2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 324. NATIONAL BIODEFENSE ANALYSIS AND COUNTERMEASURES
CENTER.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, shall designate the
laboratory described in subsection (b) as an additional
laboratory pursuant to the authority under section 308(c)(2),
which shall be the lead Federal facility dedicated to
defending the United States against biological threats by--
``(1) understanding the risks posed by intentional,
accidental, and natural biological events; and
``(2) providing the operational capabilities to support the
investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and
bioterrorism.
``(b) Laboratory Described.--The laboratory described in
this subsection may be a federally funded research and
development center--
``(1) known, as of the date of enactment of this section,
as the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures
Center;
``(2) that may include--
``(A) the National Bioforensic Analysis Center, which
conducts technical analyses in support of Federal law
enforcement investigations; and
``(B) the National Biological Threat Characterization
Center, which conducts experiments and studies to better
understand biological vulnerabilities and hazards; and
``(3) transferred to the Department pursuant to
subparagraphs (A), (D), and (F) of section 303(1) and section
303(2).
``(c) Laboratory Activities.--The National Biodefense
Analysis and Countermeasures Center shall--
``(1) conduct studies and experiments to better understand
current and future biological threats and hazards and
pandemics;
``(2) provide the scientific data required to assess
vulnerabilities, conduct risk assessments, and determine
potential impacts to guide the development of
countermeasures;
``(3) conduct and facilitate the technical forensic
analysis and interpretation of materials recovered following
a biological attack, or in other law enforcement
investigations requiring evaluation of biological materials,
in support of the appropriate lead Federal agency;
``(4) coordinate with other national laboratories to
enhance research capabilities, share lessons learned, and
provide training more efficiently;
``(5) collaborate with the Homeland Security Enterprise, as
defined in section 2200, to plan and conduct research to
address gaps and needs in biodefense; and
``(6) carry out other such activities as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(d) Work for Others.--The National Biodefense Analysis
and Countermeasures Center shall engage in a continuously
operating Work for Others program to make the unique
biocontainment and bioforensic capabilities of the National
Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center available to
other Federal agencies.
``(e) Facility Repair and Routine Equipment Replacement.--
The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center
shall--
``(1) perform regularly scheduled and required maintenance
of laboratory infrastructure; and
``(2) procure mission-critical equipment and capability
upgrades.
``(f) Facility Mission Needs Assessment.--
``(1) In general.--To address capacity concerns and
accommodate future mission needs and advanced capabilities,
the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall conduct
a mission needs assessment, to include scoping for potential
future needs or expansion, of the National Biodefense
Analysis and Countermeasures Center.
``(2) Submission.--Not later than 120 days after the date
of enactment of this section, the Under Secretary for Science
and Technology shall provide the assessment conducted under
paragraph (1) to--
``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Appropriations of the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to support
the activities of the laboratory designated under this
section.
``(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed as affecting in any manner the authorities or
responsibilities of the Countering Weapons of Mass
Destruction Office of the Department.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of
contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(Public Law 107-296; 116 Stat. 2135) is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 323 the following:
``Sec. 324. National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center.''.
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