A bill to amend the National Security Act of 1947 to require the President to designate an employee of the National Security Council to be responsible for pandemic prevention and response, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-290
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-02-08
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Executive Office of the President

Executive agency funding and structure

Federal officials

Health programs administration and funding

Health promotion and preventive care

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-08
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill directs the President to designate an employee of the National Security Council to be the permanent coordinator for pandemic prevention and response for the federal government.</p> <p>The coordinator shall (1) serve&nbsp;as the principal advisor to the President regarding pandemic prevention and response, and (2) lead interagency coordination for&nbsp;such prevention and response.</p> <p>The coordinator may represent the United States in bilateral and multilateral discussions and agreements on matters relevant to&nbsp;such prevention and response.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 290 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 8, 2021 Mr. Markey introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To amend the National Security Act of 1947 to require the President to designate an employee of the National Security Council to be responsible for pandemic prevention and response, and for other purposes.

1. National Security Council coordinator for pandemic prevention and response Section 101 of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3021 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection (h): (h) Coordinator for pandemic prevention and response (1) In general The President shall designate an employee of the National Security Council to be the permanent coordinator for pandemic prevention and response for the Federal Government (in this subsection referred to as the Coordinator ). (2) Purpose The Coordinator shall direct all efforts of the Federal Government relating to United States policy regarding pandemic prevention and response, including by carrying out the duties under paragraph (3). (3) Duties The Coordinator shall— (A) serve as the principal advisor to the President regarding pandemic prevention and response; (B) notwithstanding any other provision of law, coordinate and direct all activities, policies, programs, and funding relating to pandemic prevention and response, for all Federal agencies; (C) direct, as appropriate, Federal Government resources to respond to needs for pandemic prevention and response; and (D) lead interagency coordination for pandemic prevention and response, including regular consultation with nongovernmental organizations and public health officials working to prevent and respond to pandemics. (4) Authority to represent the United States The Coordinator may represent the United States in bilateral and multilateral discussions and agreements on matters relevant to pandemic prevention and response. .