JOHN LINDER: “this is a remarkable feat to move a piece of legislation so important so fast and so well done, and I congratulate the…”

“this is a remarkable feat to move a piece of legislation so important so fast and so well done, and I congratulate the gentlemen. I particularly thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Burr) who headed up the task force to ensure that my bill, H.R. 3219, wound up in this bill. My bill reauthorized the rebuilding of the CDC $300 million for 2 years in a row and multiyear contracting. Let me tell Members about the CDC. It is a 55-year-old institution, the largest institution of the Federal Government not located in the metro area here. It is a world class intellectual community in a third world facility. Many Members have visited it. The CDC facility needs to be upgraded, particularly the security around it. We have dangerous bugs and viruses there that are being stored three stories above the loading dock. We need to do this. I am grateful for Members' response, and I am sure that the Senate will respond equally. The Secretary of HHS is in favor of this bill. It is not common in my 27 years in public life that we can introduce a bill on November 1 and have it voted on December 11. I am grateful for this bill.”