WASHINGTON – First District Congressman Paul Ryan today voted for bipartisan legislation to strengthen our public health infrastructure and protect Americans from bioterrorism. This legislation – the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act – passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 418-2.

"Since September 11, Americans have had to completely reassess our security.  All of us are paying close attention to areas of possible vulnerability, and we're asking what we can do to better defend our families, our communities, and our country," Ryan said.  "Some Wisconsinites have told me they are especially concerned about bioterrorism.  The legislation we passed today works to address this threat and help Americans be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to such threats."

Among its provisions, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act:

• Authorizes $1 billion in grants to states, local governments, and other public and private health care facilities and other entities to improve planning and preparedness activities, enhance laboratory capacity, educate and train health care personnel, and to develop new drugs, therapies, and vaccines.

• Authorizes more than $1 billion for the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand our current national stockpiles of medicines and other supplies, including the purchase of additional smallpox vaccines.

• Authorizes $450 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to upgrade their capabilities to better deal with public health threats and improve their security.

• Helps protect our water supply from chemical, biological or radiological attacks by authorizing funding for the development of vulnerability analyses and emergency response plans for our drinking water systems.