WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Greg Walden (R-OR) made the following statement on the passage of S. 1379, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPA). The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law:

“This was long overdue, and sorely needed. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPA) is a longstanding, bipartisan national security priority. While PAHPA should have been approved months ago, I’m glad our nation’s public health infrastructure programs have been reauthorized and extended so that our federal, state, and local officials have the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively to emerging and ongoing threats - whether they are natural or man-made.

“I’d also like to thank Reps. Susan Brooks and Anna Eshoo, who spearheaded this issue through the House, for their tireless efforts at ensuring these critical preparedness and response programs are reauthorized."

Background:

In January, the House passed H.R. 269, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019, authored by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN), by a vote of 401-17. In May, the Senate passed its own version, S. 1379, by voice vote.

In September 2018, the House passed H.R. 6378, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2018, also authored by Reps. Brooks and Eshoo, which was not considered by the Senate before the end of the 115th Congress.