House Homeland Security Committee Passes Bilirakis Legislation to Ensure Preparedness Activities in Times of Disaster

Press Release

The Homeland Security Committee today passed H.R. 1791, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, legislation Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-12) sponsored to ensure preparedness activities in times of disaster. Bilirakis previously served the Committee as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications. He also introduced this legislation in the 112th Congress, following after a series of hearings where emergency response personnel identified a need to stockpile medical countermeasures in the event of a WMD attack.

"Experts have repeatedly noted that the threat of a WMD attack is real," said Bilirakis. "We must take steps now to ensure the necessary plans, medication and equipment are available to protect the public, especially emergency response providers, in the event of an attack. The legislation passed by the Committee today recognizes the continued importance of ensuring medical preparedness activities remain allowable grant uses. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to get this bill signed into law."

The legislation does not authorize new funding. Rather, it clarifies that grant funds under the State Homeland Security Grant Program and Urban Area Security Initiative can be used to enhance medical preparedness and purchase medical countermeasures.

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