Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 15, the "Project Bioshield Act of 2004." This legislation reflects bipartisan bicameral negotiations that have made minor modifications to the language of H.R. 2122 which was passed by the House on July 16, 2003. I commend the hard work and dedication of all who participated in this endeavor.

In this era of heightened threats to our national security and the increased risk of harm to Americans, Project Bioshield is an unfortunate but necessary measure. There are no effective therapies for many of the "select agents" that have been identified as potential instrumentalities of terrorism. The basic purpose of Project Bioshield is to support research that will lead to the development and availability in the Strategic National Stockpile of "countermeasures" to combat public health emergencies that threaten our national security.

The bill has three basic features: enhanced countermeasure research; procurement of countermeasures; and emergency regulatory authority for approval and use of drugs, biologics, and devices that are qualified countermeasures. The Committees' work clarified, modified, and otherwise improved on the Administration's proposal in each of these areas. The bill before us reflects further refinements and does not contain major policy changes from last year's bill.

Among the significant measures in this bill are provisions aimed at enhancing accountability for actions taken pursuant to Project Bioshield. Congress will receive comprehensive information, not less than annually, on the major activities authorized by this Act. In addition, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will provide reports on key economic and scientific elements of this program after it has been in effect for several years.

Finally, I am pleased to note that this bill maintains the approach of H.R. 2122 that funding be authorized, rather than a permanent, unlimited appropriation sought by the Administration. Bioshield should not automatically be given a higher priority over other national security or public health matters.

This is a good bill, and is a worthy continuation of our important and bipartisan work on bioterrorism preparedness. I urge all of my colleagues to support it.