Orrin Hatch: “I rise today to cosponsor, with my colleague Senator Lieberman from Connecticut, Chairman of the Governmental Affairs…”

“I rise today to cosponsor, with my colleague Senator Lieberman from Connecticut, Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, legislation that we believe is essential to better prepare our nation to prepare for and respond to bioterrorist attacks. The goal of our bill, the Biological, Chemical and Radiological Measures Research Act of 2002, is to encourage private sector research and development of diagnostic products, drugs, and vaccines designed to counter biological, chemical, or radiological attacks. One year ago our country faced a series of anthrax attacks that exposed deficiencies in our nation's ability to respond to attacks of bioterrorism. We need to do more. This bill will help protect the American public by deterring future acts of bioterrorism and, in the event of another such attack, will increase our capacity to respond effectively to the weapon deployed. This legislation complements the bioterrorism bill passed by Congress earlier this year that focused on building up the public health infrastructure.”