[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3304-S3305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 6095. Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Budd) submitted an amendment
intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize
appropriations for fiscal year 2027 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 year, and for other purposes; which was
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:
SEC. 10__. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL BRIEFINGS ON
NATIONAL BIODEFENSE STRATEGY.
Section 1086(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 2017 (6 U.S.C. 104(d)) is amended by striking
``March 1, 2025'' and inserting ``the date that is five years
after the date of the enactment of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027''.
SEC. 10__. ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO
ENGINEERING BIOLOGY RISKS.
(a) In General.--The first time after the date of the
enactment of this Act that findings are provided to the
appropriate congressional committees pursuant to the biennial
update of the biodefense threat assessment under section
364(d)(1)(D) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (6 U.S.C.
106(d)(1)(D)), such findings shall include an analysis of,
and recommendations to enhance, the readiness of the United
States national security enterprise and life science research
enterprise against engineering biology risks.
(b) Matters Included.--
(1) Analysis.--The analysis required by subsection (a)
shall include the following:
(A) An assessment of the threat to national security and
public safety posed by current and anticipated engineering
biology risks.
(B) A description of current lines of research and
development in covered departments and agencies relating to
biodefense against engineering biology risks, including
prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection, response,
attribution, recovery, and mitigation.
(C) An analysis of authorities, regulations, and programs
pertaining to engineering biology risks, in the United
States, including biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense.
(D) An evaluation of gaps, deficiencies, redundancies, and
ambiguities in authorities and regulations pertaining to
engineering biology risks.
(E) Such other matters as the heads of the covered
departments and agencies jointly consider relevant.
(2) Recommendations.--The recommendations required by
subsection (a) shall include recommendations for the
following:
(A) Aligning lines of research and development across
covered departments and agencies to reduce redundant efforts
and promote the mutual benefit for purposes of biosafety,
biosecurity, and biodefense against engineering biology
risks.
[[Page S3305]]
(B) Modernizing biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense
authorities, regulations, and programs pertaining to
engineering biology risks to ensure the United States--
(i) mitigates the safety and security threat to national
security and public safety posed by engineering biology
risks; and
(ii) benefits from the research, development, application,
and dissemination of innovations in engineering biology under
an enduring governance framework that accommodates novel
discoveries and capabilities in life sciences research;
(C) Establishing a program or programs, or modernizing an
existing program or programs--
(i) to establish and enforce safeguards to mitigate
engineering biology risks to national security or public
safety; and
(ii) to identify best practices, promulgate voluntary
guidance, and provide consultation on matters of biosecurity
and biosafety in the United States.
(D) For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C), detailed
proposed legislative action and an estimate of the amount of
funding necessary to ensure that relevant programs have
adequate resources.
(E) Such other matters as the heads of the covered
departments and agencies jointly consider relevant.
(c) Consultation.--The recommendations described in
subsection (b)(2) shall be developed in consultation with--
(1) individuals representing industry, academia, and civil
society, including representatives of the life sciences
research enterprise who have not received any Federal grant
or contract in the preceding five years; and
(2) such other government agencies or interested
stakeholders as the heads of the covered departments and
agencies jointly consider appropriate.
(d) Form.--The analysis and recommendations required by
this section shall be submitted in unclassified form but may
include a classified annex.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered departments and agencies'' means the
departments and agencies included in section 364(a) of the
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (6 U.S.C. 106(a)).
(2) The term ``engineering biology'' has the meaning given
such term in section 10002 of the Research and Development,
Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18901).
(3) The term ``engineering biology risk'' means a risk to
national security or public safety arising from the misuse,
abuse, or accidental release of materials arising from, or
the misuse or abuse of methods, tools, or information
pertaining to, engineering biology.
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