Fda Modernization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, bipartisan legislation that ensures the FDA fully embraces modern science while reducing unnecessary animal testing.

Many of our families would feel incomplete without the pets and animals that bring unconditional love into our lives. Yet every year, millions of animals, including dogs, man's best friend, are still subjected to testing in the development of new medicines.

As policymakers, we have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves. That responsibility includes embracing scientific innovation that can reduce unnecessary animal suffering while continuing to deliver safe and effective treatments to patients.

In 2022, Congress took an important first step by passing the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. I was proud to help lead that effort. That law gave drug developers the ability to use modern, scientifically validated alternatives to traditional animal testing when appropriate.

Congress made its intent clear. We wanted to encourage more effective, more humane, and more innovative approaches to drug development.

Unfortunately, the previous administration failed to fully implement the law. Without clear implementation, too many researchers have lacked the certainty they need, and too many animals continue to be used in testing that modern science can increasingly replace.

H.R. 2821 ensures the FDA finally carries out the will of Congress. This bill is not lowering standards. It is about raising them.

Today's researchers have access to technologies that simply did not exist a generation ago: advanced human cell models, organ-on-a-chip technology, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling. These innovative tools have the potential to better predict how medicines will perform in humans while reducing reliance on animal testing. Our laws should reflect the science of today, not the science of decades past.

Modernizing drug development doesn't just benefit animals. It benefits patients. By providing greater clarity and encouraging the use of validated alternative methods, we can make the drug development process more efficient. That means fewer unnecessary delays and more innovation. Ultimately, that means lifesaving treatments can reach patients more quickly without compromising the FDA's rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness.

This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill. It reflects a simple principle: We can advance medical innovation while improving animal welfare. Those goals are not in conflict. In fact, they go hand in hand.

Mr. Speaker, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 fulfills the promise Congress made when we passed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. It ensures that modern science is fully incorporated into our regulatory process. It helps reduce unnecessary animal testing and strengthens American medical innovation. It also helps bring new therapies to patients more efficiently.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0.

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