The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013, H.R. 307. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), reauthorizes provisions of the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 and Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) of 2006 for an additional five years.
H.R. 307 continues to strengthen the nation’s preparedness infrastructure and support development of medical countermeasures to better respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear attacks.
The bill was brought to vote under a suspension of House rules, a common practice for bills expected to easily obtain at least a two-thirds majority, allowing just 40 minutes of debate prior to a vote.
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) said, “I would like to thank Rep. Rogers along with all the other members who worked on this bipartisan bill that will improve the nation’s health infrastructure to help us respond to a terrorist attack and provide additional flexibility for emergency distribution, stockpiling and use of medical countermeasures to ensure the nation is prepared for public health emergencies. As the nation grapples with a severe flu season, the need to pass this legislation is ever more apparent.”
The vote passed by an overwhelming 91 percent majority. Voting against H.R. 307 were 29 House Republicans. No House Democrats voted against the bill.
The full text of H.R. 307 is available here.