I think it falls well outside the space that we are here to talk about today, but indeed it is a problem and it is a problem that leads us then to the FDA and to other areas that need examination by this committee and other committees.

If there is any group in Congress that gets this problem and knows how to get it done, it is the HELP Committee.

one of the committee's greatest responsibilities is ensuring that our Nation has the medical and public health preparedness and response capabilities necessary to respond to all hazards and all threats, whether natural or manmade.

My hope is, and I pledge to Senator Blumenthal, if the committee will look into the drug shortage I will be right there with him.

I believe that reauthorization is absolutely essential. I think we can do it better than we did it before.

It is essential that someone be in charge, as Senator Burr has said.

I think it was our belief, that if that could happen, then we need to be prepared.

I think having this focal point for leadership has proved to be really important.

I sort of put you in charge of letting us know before we get this legislation done.

As we work to reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act and BioShield, it is critical that this committee take a hard look at what is working well and what is not working well.

We are almost a year into this recommendation, without approval of an adjuvant.

The Pandemic and All Hazard Preparedness Act answered the critical question of who is in charge through the creation of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.