Fda Modernization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, introduced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

I am proud to co-lead this bill with him and a bipartisan group of my colleagues: Representatives Barragan, Buchanan, DeLauro, and Harshbarger.

Over 3 years ago, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was signed into law, allowing the agency to approve human drugs without requiring animal testing through modern, often more effective, alternatives.

Despite this progress, the FDA has still not issued updated regulations to clarify where alternatives to animal testing are, in fact, permissible.

This legislation takes action to close the gap by requiring the FDA to fully implement the reforms that Congress has already enacted and to help reduce unnecessary animal testing in drug development. By ensuring the full implementation of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, this legislation will help modernize and transform drug development for the 21st century; accelerate safer, more effective medical breakthroughs; and advance more humane scientific research.

This is long overdue. We see the unnecessary slaughtering of animals for research when there are other alternatives that may be, in fact, more humane, more effective, and more cost effective, yet we continue to do the same thing as if.

I am proud to be a part of this bill that will go a long way toward protecting lives, advancing technological scientific finds, and creating a better, more humane system. Overall, our bill is a big win for patients, a big win for innovation, and a big win for animal welfare.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on passing this critical legislation.

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