    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book II)]
    [July 21, 2004]
    [Pages 1389-1391]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Signing the Project BioShield Act of 2004
    July 21, 2004

        Thank you all. Mr. Speaker. Please be seated. Thanks. Good morning,
    and welcome to the Rose Garden.
        On September the 11th, 2001, America saw the destruction and grief
    terrorists could inflict with commercial airlines turned into weapons of
    mass murder. Those attacks revealed the depth of our enemies'
    determination but not the extent of their ambitions. We know that the
    terrorists seek an even deadlier technology. And if they acquire
    chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons, we have no doubt they will use
    them to cause even greater harm.
        The bill I am about to sign is an important element in our response
    to that threat. By authorizing unprecedented funding and providing new
    capabilities, Project BioShield will help America purchase, develop, and
    deploy cutting-edge defenses against catastrophic attack.
        This legislation represents the collective foresight and considered
    judgment of United States Senators and Members of the House of
    Representatives from both political parties, many of whom experienced
    bioterror firsthand when anthrax and ricin were found on Capitol Hill.
    It reflects 18 months of hard work and cooperation by many dedicated
    public servants in Congress and in the White House. It sends a message
    about our direction in the war on terror: We refuse to remain idle while
    modern technology might be turned against us; we

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    will rally the great promise of American science and innovation to
    confront the greatest danger of our time.
        I want to thank the Vice President for his
    hard work. He was the point man in the White House on this piece of
    legislation and did an excellent job. I appreciate Secretaries Tommy
    Thompson and Tom Ridge for their leadership on this important piece of
    legislation as well.
        I appreciate the Speaker and Leader
    Frist for making this bill a priority. I want to
    thank Senator Gregg and Senator Kennedy and Senator Cochran for
    working on this bill. I appreciate the efforts. I appreciate Congressmen
    Barton, Billy Tauzin, Chris Cox, and Henry
    Waxman as well for their hard work.
        I appreciate the members of my administration who are here. Thanks
    for coming. These will be the implementers of this important piece of
    legislation.
        Project BioShield will transform our ability to defend the Nation in
    three essential ways. First, Project BioShield authorizes $5.6 billion
    over 10 years for the Government to purchase and stockpile vaccines and
    drugs to fight anthrax, smallpox, and other potential agents of
    bioterror. The Department of Health and Human Services has already taken
    steps to purchase 75 million doses of an improved anthrax vaccine for
    the Strategic National Stockpile. Under Project BioShield, HHS is moving
    forward with plans to acquire a safer, second-generation smallpox
    vaccine, an antidote to botulinum toxin, and better treatments for
    exposure to chemical and radiological weapons.
        Private industry plays a vital role in our biodefense efforts by
    taking risks to bring new treatments to the market, and we appreciate
    those efforts.
        By acting as a willing buyer for the best new medical technologies,
    the Government ensures that our drug stockpile remains safe, effective,
    and advanced. The Federal Government and our medical professionals are
    working together to meet the threat of bioterrorism; we're making the
    American people more secure in doing so.
        Second, Project BioShield gives the Government new authority to
    expedite research and development on the most promising and time-
    sensitive medicines to defend against bioterror. We will waste no time
    putting those new powers to use. Today Secretary Thompson will direct the NIH to launch two initiatives, one
    to speed the development of new treatments for victims of a biological
    attack and another to expedite development of treatments for victims of
    a radiological or nuclear attack. Under the old rules, grants of this
    kind of research often took 18 to 24 months to process. Under Project
    BioShield, HHS expects the process to be completed in about 6 months.
    Our goal is to translate today's promising medical research into drugs
    and vaccines to combat a biological attack in the future, and now we
    will not let bureaucratic obstacles stand in the way.
        Third, Project BioShield will change the way the Government
    authorizes and deploys medical defenses in a crisis. When I sign this
    bill, the Food and Drug Administration will be able to permit rapid
    distribution of promising new drugs and antidotes in the most urgent
    circumstances. This will allow patients to quickly receive the best
    treatments in an emergency. Secretary Thompson has directed the FDA to prepare guidelines and procedures
    for implementing this new authority. By acting today, we are making sure
    we have the best medicine possible to help the victims of a biological
    attack.
        Project BioShield is part of a broader strategy to defend America
    against the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Since September the
    11th, we've increased funding for the Strategic National Stockpile by a
    factor of 5, increased funding for biodefense research at NIH by a
    factor of 30, secured enough smallpox vaccine for every American, worked
    with cities on plans to deliver antibiotics and chemical antidotes in an
    emergency, improved the

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    safety of our food supply, and deployed advanced environmental detectors
    under the BioWatch Program to provide the earliest possible warning of a
    biological attack.
        The threat of bioterrorism has brought new challenges to our
    Government, to our first-responders, and to our medical personnel. We
    are grateful for their service. Not long ago, few of these men and women
    could have imagined duties like monitoring the air for anthrax or
    delivering antibiotics on a massive scale. Yet, this is the world as we
    find it. This Nation refuses to let our guard down.
        Tomorrow the 9/11 Commission will issue its findings and
    recommendations to help prevent future terrorist attacks. I look forward
    to receiving the report. I will continue to work with the Congress and
    State and local governments to build on the homeland security
    improvements we have already made. Every American can be certain that
    their Government will continue doing everything in our power to prevent
    a terrorist attack. And if the terrorists do strike, we'll be better
    prepared to defend our people because of the good law I sign today.
        It's my honor to invite the Members of the Congress to join me as I
    sign the Project BioShield Act of 2004. Thanks for coming.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:43 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives; and the National Commission on Terrorist
    Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission). S. 15, approved July
    21, was assigned Public Law 108-276.