I 
★
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6610 
To establish the Cabinet-level position of Director of Pandemic and Biodefense 
Preparedness and Response in the executive branch with the responsi-
bility of developing a National Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness 
and Response Strategy, to prepare for and coordinate the response to 
future pandemics, biological attacks, and other major health crises, in-
cluding coordinating the work of multiple government agencies, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 23, 2020 
Mr. ROSE of New York (for himself, Ms. SCANLON, Ms. NORTON, and Ms. 
JACKSON LEE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees 
on Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, 
and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Cabinet-level position of Director of Pan-
demic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response in the 
executive branch with the responsibility of developing 
a National Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and 
Response Strategy, to prepare for and coordinate the 
response to future pandemics, biological attacks, and 
other major health crises, including coordinating the 
work of multiple government agencies, and for other 
purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Director of Pandemic 
and Biodefense Preparedness and Response Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The United States could have, and should 
have, been significantly more prepared to combat the 
COVID–19 pandemic. 
(2) Examples of this are numerous but include 
the loss of stockpiled ventilators to breakage because 
the Federal Government let maintenance contracts 
lapse in 2018, the reuse of personal protective equip-
ment that is only sanitary for single-patient use due 
to shortages, and the scarcity of available testing 
compared to other nations. 
(3) The loss of life and harm to the national 
economy is already staggering yet its extent will not 
be known for some time. 
(4) As in previous pandemics and other major 
health crises, confusion during the COVID–19 pan-
demic about which agency was in charge of what 
and who would coordinate the response of multiple 
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agencies lead to calls for a ‘‘czar’’ to be named, as 
well as a task force to be created. 
(5) The Federal Government currently supports 
pandemic and biodefense preparedness and response 
in several ways through a myriad of agencies, each 
responsible for disparate programs and responsibil-
ities related to pandemics, biological attacks, and 
other major health crises. 
(6) Following the attack on our homeland on 
September 11, 2001, the Director of National Intel-
ligence position was created to ensure the coopera-
tion of several agencies in the Intelligence Commu-
nity through one Cabinet-level official coordinating 
between and among multiple Federal agencies 
charged with breaking down silos while keeping the 
Nation safe. 
(7) Preparing the United States for and re-
sponding to a future pandemic, biological attack, or 
other major health crisis should be a top priority 
across agencies of the Federal Government, yet the 
COVID–19 pandemic exposed the need for greater 
cohesion and speed in both preparedness and re-
sponse. 
(8) Various Federal agencies report on rec-
ommendations for preparation and response to 
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pandemics, biological attacks, and other major 
health crises, but no one Federal official can produce 
and speak with authority on a national pandemic 
and biodefense preparedness and response strategy 
or execute such a strategy. 
(9) A key element for success during response 
activities will be ‘‘staying ahead of the emergency’’— 
in other words, being more proactive than reactive. 
This will require elements including— 
(A) timely, accurate assessments of newly 
emerged risks and vulnerabilities; 
(B) a streamlined, unified effort to lead all 
Federal Government efforts, coordinate State 
and local government activities, and provide 
clear guidance to assets in the private sector; 
(C) a coordinated national communications 
program to inform, educate, and gain the trust 
and support of the American public; and 
(D) a national leader with the authority, 
responsibility, and accountability to ensure the 
most effective coordination of Federal agencies 
and best use of national assets. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the creation of the Cabinet-level position of the 
Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and 
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Response and a well-designed National Pandemic and Bio-
defense Preparedness and Response Strategy would ben-
efit the United States in several important ways, including 
by ending silos between and among various Federal agen-
cies charged with parts of pandemic and biodefense pre-
paredness and response, including the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, and the Department of Health and Human 
Services. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) AGENCY.—The term ‘‘agency’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(2) NATIONAL
PANDEMIC
AND
BIODEFENSE 
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE STRATEGY; STRAT-
EGY.—Each of the terms ‘‘Pandemic and Biodefense 
Preparedness and Response Strategy’’ and ‘‘Strat-
egy’’ means the strategy developed and submitted to 
the Congress under section 5, including any report, 
plan, or strategy required to be incorporated into or 
issued concurrently with such strategy. 
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SEC. 4. REORGANIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF MANAGE-
MENT OF FEDERAL PANDEMIC AND BIO-
DEFENSE RESPONSE AGENCIES. 
(a) DIRECTOR OF PANDEMIC AND BIODEFENSE PRE-
PAREDNESS AND RESPONSE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is a Director of Pan-
demic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response 
who shall be appointed by the President, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate. Any indi-
vidual nominated for appointment as Director of 
Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Re-
sponse shall have extensive pandemic and biodefense 
preparedness and response expertise. 
(2) LOCATION.—The Director of Pandemic and 
Biodefense Preparedness and Response shall not be 
located within the Executive Office of the President. 
(3) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—Not later 
than 3 months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the President shall appoint a Director of 
Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Re-
sponse. 
(b) PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—Subject to the 
authority, direction, and control of the President, the Di-
rector of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Re-
sponse shall— 
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(1) serve as head of the Federal national pan-
demic and biodefense preparedness and response 
community; 
(2) act as the principal adviser to the Presi-
dent, the National Security Council, and the Home-
land Security Council for pandemic and biodefense 
preparedness and response; 
(3) oversee and direct the implementation of 
the National Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness 
and Response Strategy and its execution through the 
coordination of Federal agencies and through the 
United States participation in the World Health Or-
ganization and other Intergovernmental Organiza-
tions; 
(4) act as the principal adviser to the President 
in a time of pandemic, biological attack, or other 
major health crisis; 
(5) to coordinate the Nation’s response to such 
a crisis; 
(6) conduct a simulation exercise at least once 
each year of the response to a fictional pandemic, bi-
ological attack, or other serious health crisis of high- 
level current and former government and nongovern-
mental officials in order to prepare for these poten-
tial events; 
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(7) address the organizational structure and 
chain of command, both in the Federal Government 
and at the State level; 
(8) ensure adequate laboratory surveillance of 
viruses, including the ability to isolate and subtype 
viruses year-round; 
(9) improve vaccine research, development, and 
production; 
(10) procure adequate doses of antivirals for 
treatment; 
(11) develop systems for tracking and distrib-
uting antiviral medication and vaccines; 
(12) prioritize who would receive antivirals and 
vaccines based on limited supplies; 
(13) stockpile medical and safety equipment for 
health care workers and first responders; 
(14) assure surge capacity capabilities for 
health care providers and institutions; 
(15) secure a backup health care workforce in 
the event of a major health crisis; 
(16) ensure the availability of food, water, and 
other essential items during a major health crisis; 
(17) provide guidance on needed State and local 
authority to implement public health measures such 
as isolation or quarantine; 
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(18) maintain core public functions, including 
public utilities, refuse disposal, mortuary services, 
transportation, police and firefighter services, and 
other critical services; 
(19) establish networks that provide alerts and 
other information for health care providers; 
(20) communicate with the public with respect 
to prevention and obtaining care during a pandemic; 
(21) provide security for first responders and 
other medical personnel and volunteers, hospitals, 
treatment centers, isolation and quarantine areas, 
and transportation and delivery of resources; and 
(22) work with established agencies and per-
form such other functions or activities as the Presi-
dent may assign. 
(c) PROHIBITION
ON DUAL SERVICE.—The indi-
vidual serving in the position of Director of Pandemic and 
Biodefense Preparedness and Response shall not, while so 
serving, also serve as the head of any other agency of the 
Federal Government. 
(d) NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL.—The Director of 
Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response 
shall be a member of the National Security Council. 
(e) EXISTING FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Not later than 
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the 
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Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and 
Response shall— 
(1) identify existing Federal agencies charged 
with elements of pandemic and biodefense prepared-
ness and response; and 
(2) report to the Congress recommendations for 
reorganizing such agencies under the Office of the 
Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness 
and Response to ensure full coordination among 
such agencies, including changes to existing law that 
are necessary to carry out such recommendations. 
(f) PAY.—The Director of Pandemic and Biodefense 
Preparedness and Response shall be paid at the rate of 
basic pay for level II of the Executive Schedule under sub-
chapter II of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 5. NATIONAL PANDEMIC AND BIODEFENSE PRE-
PAREDNESS AND RESPONSE STRATEGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and every year there-
after, the Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Prepared-
ness and Response shall submit a National Pandemic and 
Biodefense Preparedness and Response Strategy to the 
President and the Congress. The Strategy shall contain 
a summary of the current state of pandemic and bio-
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defense preparedness and response in the United States, 
and a comprehensive strategy to— 
(1) work across Federal and State government 
agencies to implement a coherent integrated Strat-
egy and associated plans; 
(2) prepare for and execute interagency plan-
ning and coordination to implement the Strategy; 
(3) provide for departmental and agency re-
sponsibility and accountability for each component of 
the Strategy; 
(4) budget for and fund requirements and 
sources under the Strategy; 
(5) ensure international collaboration and co-
ordination efforts to implement the Strategy; and 
(6) provide recommendations and a timeline for 
implementation of the Strategy. 
(b) APPLICATION OF FACA.—Notwithstanding the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), non-
government individuals and entities may participate in the 
preparation of the National Pandemic and Biodefense 
Preparedness and Response Strategy. 
SEC. 6. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. 
The Director, in consultation with professional health 
and medical societies, shall develop and disseminate pan-
demic and biodefense training curricula— 
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(1) to educate and train health professionals, 
including physicians, nurses, public health practi-
tioners, virologists and epidemiologists, veterinar-
ians, mental health providers, allied health profes-
sionals, and paramedics and other first responders; 
(2) to educate and train volunteer, nonmedical 
personnel whose assistance may be required during 
a pandemic, biological attack, or other major health 
crisis; 
(3) that address prevention, including use of 
quarantine and other isolation precautions, pan-
demic diagnosis, medical guidelines for use of 
antivirals and vaccines, and professional require-
ments and responsibilities, as appropriate; 
(4) targeting distribution to high-risk groups, 
including health professionals and relief personnel 
and other individuals determined to be most suscep-
tible to illness or death from a pandemic, biological 
attack, or other major health crisis; 
(5) ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare 
resources, particularly across low-income and other 
underserved groups; and 
(6) that integrate with existing State and local 
systems as appropriate. 
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SEC. 7. REPORTING. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Direc-
tor of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Re-
sponse, in consultation with the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget, shall submit to the President 
and the Congress a report that describes progress made 
in the implementation of the National Pandemic and Bio-
defense Preparedness and Response Strategy and in fulfil-
ment of its objectives. 
Æ 
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