ABAC Applauds Latest Bipartisan Congressional Momentum Supporting H.R. 2707
Arlington, VA - The American Biodefense Action Coalition (ABAC), a coalition of Americans concerned about the threat of biological warfare, today applauded the latest bipartisan momentum behind H.R. 2707, the Protecting American Families & Servicemembers From Anthrax Act.
Recent bipartisan cosponsors for H.R. 2707 includes the following national security and public health-focused Members of Congress:
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D., R-IA (Member of the Subcommittee on Health, House Committee on Energy and Commerce; Co-Chair of the Pandemic Preparedness Caucus; Member of the GOP Doctors Caucus; Member of Congressional Biodefense Caucus)
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-PA (Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Military Personnel, House Armed Services Committee; Member, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Co-Chair, House BIOTech Caucus)
Rep. Austin Scott, R-GA (Member, House Armed Services Committee; Member, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence)
H.R. 2707, legislation that reverses the previously-planned elimination of lifesaving Anthrax therapeutic stockpiles at the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), is critical to ensuring preparedness for the deadly Anthrax threat. America’s adversaries - including China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, and terror groups - all possess offensive Anthrax bioweapons, driving the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to recognize Anthrax as a Material Threat Determination.
Should the cuts occur as planned, the SNS and DoD will permanently lose America’s only remaining lifesaving, FDA-approved therapeutic defense for the treatment of Anthrax. Members of Congress who are concerned about Anthrax bioweapon threats to the United States should consider supporting H.R. 2707.
Learn more about H.R. 2707 here.
Reps. Miller-Meeks, Houlahan, and Scott join other national security-focused Congressional leaders also supporting H.R. 2707:
Rep. Don Davis, D-NC (Original Sponsor)
Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-VA (Original Cosponsor)
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-MI
Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-NC
Rep. Deborah Ross, D-NC
Rep. Brad Finstad, R-MN
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-FL
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA
Rep. Mark Messmer, R-IN
Rep. Greg Murphy, R-NC
Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-CA
Rep. Mike Turner, R-OH
BACKGROUND ON ANTHRAX & H.R. 2707
Amid concerns that America’s adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and terror groups, maintain offensive Anthrax programs, Anthrax holds a Material Threat Determination as designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This risk was noted in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s March 2025 Annual Threat Assessment, describing an increased risk of biological and chemical weapons that may include a “clandestine attack” against the United States.
Despite the enhanced Anthrax threat, there are concerns that Anthrax countermeasure therapeutics are scheduled to be reduced or eliminated altogether in the Strategic National Stockpile, as indicated in the 2024 PHEMCE Multi Year Budget.
President Trump’s January 20th, 2025 Executive Order called on the U.S. Government to “fortify biosecurity,” and any planned cut of Anthrax countermeasures in the Strategic National Stockpile is contrary to the President’s approach. Here’s why it matters: Should this cut remain as planned (the cuts were originally planned under the prior Administration), the nation’s industrial base for Anthrax therapeutic countermeasures would likely go out-of-business. This would leave the capability permanently lost, rendering the nation highly vulnerable to an Anthrax attack. Stockpile inventories are already significantly below existing requirements, even prior to any planned reduction, and any additional reduction would further cripple preparedness.