Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after the House passed the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019.

“This vital legislation includes important provisions that will help protect Americans from biothreats and disease outbreaks, and it strengthens our nation’s public health emergency preparedness and response capabilities. I am grateful that this package includes my MISSION Zero Act, which expands Americans’ access to combat-tested trauma care while boosting our military preparedness. In 2016, I introduced the MISSION Zero Act with Rep. Gene Green after the Dallas Police shootings to help other communities prepare before tragedy strikes.

“The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 also includes important biosurveillance measures to aim to protect Americans from biothreats. These are provisions that I championed in the Energy and Commerce Committee during the last Congress. First passed in 2006, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act’s authorization expired months ago, and the extension proceeding to President Trump’s desk is long overdue.

“Last year as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, I had the privilege of stewarding this legislation through the House three separate times before it stalled in the Senate. As of today, the House has passed a reauthorization for the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act four separate times – at last, it is headed to President Trump’s desk to become the law of the land. I encourage the President to sign this legislation to protect the public health of our country as soon as possible.”