WASHINGTON, DC - Continuing its work to ensure the country is prepared for severe emergencies, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), today held the hearing “Outbreaks, Attacks, and Accidents: Combatting Biological Threats." During Chairman Murphy’s opening remarks, he outlined the three types of biological threats confronting the United States - those that are naturally occurring, those that are accidental, and those that are intentional, often associated with acts of terrorism.
“Over the last three years, this subcommittee has examined the impacts of and our preparedness for natural and accidental biological incidents," stated Chairman Murphy. “We have held hearings on our flawed response to the Ebola crisis, the need for better preparedness for pandemic and seasonal influenzas, the unsafe practices by the Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control on the handling of live anthrax, and the Department of Homeland Security’s broken BioWatch system. In the coming weeks we will examine the federal response to the Zika virus. Each of these topics has a common denominator-the federal government was not adequately prepared."
Chairman Murphy continued, “For years, we have lunged from crisis to crisis, reacting to what just occurred instead of planning for the next outbreak or attack. The subcommittee’s oversight work has made a difference in each area, but I am very concerned that the federal government lacks an overall plan for biodefense."
Donna Shalala and James Greenwood, both testifying on their roles as panel members of the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, spoke to some of the recommendations made by the panel in their report, “A National Blueprint for Biodefense: Leadership and Major Reforms Needed to Optimize Efforts."
Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) addressed the report’s concerning findings, saying, “I will tell you that the more that I learn about it, the more I wish I wouldn’t read it. I’m serious. It’s very troubling when you understand the false security that we have. Even from something as simple, yet dangerous, as the flu, to the most serious threats that we’re facing today."
Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) cited her role as a U.S. attorney in 2001, during the anthrax attacks, commenting, “I have to tell you, I was in federal service until ’07 and felt like we were moving forward, but I have to tell you, until this report came out and until we’ve seen kind of the lack of adequate response to Ebola, quite frankly, I really do believe we have stepped back. And that we have moved from crisis to crisis."
At the end of the hearing, Chairman Murphy announced that the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a March 2, 2016, hearing on the Zika virus.as additional details are posted.
