Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), Chair of the Homeland Security Intelligence & Terrorism Risk Assessment Subcommittee and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), Member of the House Intelligence Committee, today introduced legislation to reauthorize and update the Select Agent Program -- administered by the Health and Human Services and Agriculture Departments -- which controls the transfer of biological agents and toxins that could potentially be used for bioterrorism.  The Harman/Rogers bill -- first introduced in the 110th Congress -- is the House companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Richard Burr (R-NC).

“The threat of bioterrorism – whether a small pox outbreak, pandemic flu, or proliferation of deadly ricin – is real.  Weaponized biological agents can spread and infect at a ferocious pace,” said Rep. Harman.  “This isn’t about playing the ‘fear card,’ this is a call for a better action plan.  A sophisticated system for tracking deadly agents and securing the nation’s labs – potential Petri dishes for WMDs – should be a staple component of our national defense.”

The Harman/Rogers bill reauthorizes and updates the Select Agent Program, which expired in September 2007.  Created in the 1990s, the SAP established a system to regulate possession and transfers of hazardous materials, and – following the anthrax attacks in 2001 – was expanded to include a wider range of potentially threatening toxins. 

“Research that improves our ability to combat dangerous agents such as smallpox or anthrax will strengthen our national security,” said Rep. Rogers.  “Reauthorizing a stronger Select Agent program will ensure that America can effectively fight the threat of bioterrorist attacks.  Our biodefense innovators are making tremendous progress with countermeasures, and this legislation will make sure their research continues with updated lab standards, improved training, and expanded information sharing between federal, state and local governments, all key to keeping our nation safe.”

 “We must support scientific research while also making sure select agents are kept out of the hands of terrorists and are used safely and securely in our laboratories,” said Sen. Burr.  “Reauthorizing the Select Agent Program is vital to ensuring our nation’s safety and security, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to reauthorize and improve the program.”

  In addition to reauthorizing the Select Agent Program, the legislation:

• Requires the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the SAP, and recommend ways in which it can be restructured to enhance biosecurity and international scientific collaboration.
• Requires that the SAP consider newly discovered agents – such as genetically modified organisms, synthetic compounds, and other agents identified in Department of Homeland Security risk assessments – to ensure that the list of agents is current and comprehensive.
• Encourages the sharing of information with state emergency planning officials, which is vital to ensuring that first responders have the tools they need to prevent or respond to an attack.
• Ensures minimum biosecurity and biosafety standards for the training of workers in the laboratories that deal with the most dangerous substances.

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