Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following opening statement at the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing entitled “Legislative Hearing to Address Bioterrorism, Controlled Substances and Public Health Issues:”
“Thank you Mr. Chairman for holding today’s hearing.
“I like meetings like this. This meeting is an example of what can be accomplished when we truly legislate effectively in the manner our forefathers envisioned: members on each side of the aisle come together to draft legislation that will have a strong and positive impact on the health of the American public.
“I want to voice my support for the bills before us today. H.R. 2405, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2011, will reauthorize two pieces of biodefense legislation – Project Bioshield and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006. Reauthorizing these technical, but critical programs will help to boost our public health emergency response capabilities so that we can best ensure our communities are prepared in the event of an infectious disease outbreak or act of bioterrorism.
“I also support H.R. 1254, the Synthetic Drug Control Act, which would ban dangerous synthetic drug substitutes that mirror stimulant properties similar to marijuana or cocaine. Like many parents, I worry about children being able to purchase these substances legally for ill-informed and dangerous recreational use. I do not make a decision to ban materials lightly, but I believe in this instance it is necessary and just to protect today’s children from synthetic drug abuse.
Lastly I also lend my support to the discussion draft entitled Enhancing Disease Coordination Activities Act. We have seen under the Combating Autism Act the good work that can be done when government agencies, such as HHS, are able to form interagency committees to coordinate research and collaborate on treatment proposals. Such collaboration helps to prevent duplication and advances research and treatment. This is a simple and effective solution to curbing government waste and encouraging development of cures for diseases that impact American families.
“I hope that today’s hearing will help the bipartisan discussion continue and progress the work being done on these pieces of legislation, and I wish to continue working with my colleagues as we move forward.”
To view a webcast of the hearing and the testimony of the panel, click here.
