Asa Hutchinson: “the Senate is going to pass landmark legislation today bolstering our Nation's efforts to prepare against future…”

“the Senate is going to pass landmark legislation today bolstering our Nation's efforts to prepare against future bioterrorist threats and attacks. As a member of the joint House-Senate bioterrorism conference committee, I am pleased to support this conference report. Eight months ago, five U.S. citizens died due to anthrax, buildings were shut down, and thousands of Americans were tested for possible exposure. Our country learned first hand about the need for improved knowledge about biological weapons and agents--how to detect them, what to do in the case of exposure, and the need for accelerated research and development of countermeasures to defend against such agents. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act provides for the development of vaccines and drugs to defend against biological agents or toxins, improvement of public health emergency response efforts, tightening of requirements for individuals who use and possess biological agents or toxins, enhancement of protections for our food supply and agricultural research facilities, and the development of emergency response plans and security upgrades for our Nation's water systems.”