HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today praised Congressmen Tauzin and Dingell for their leadership on bioterrorism legislation that includes many of the priorities that were included in a proposal President Bush submitted to Congress in October. The House proposal, which will improve the Department of Health and Human Services' ability to respond and prevent bioterrorism, overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 418 to 2.

"President Bush wants to make sure America's ability to deal with bioterrorism is as strong as possible, and the new tools included in the House-passed bill help us achieve that goal," Secretary Thompson said. "We're currently responding quickly and effectively to the biological events in our country, but this package will substantially strengthen the department's ability to protect the food supply, and control the possession, use and transfer of biological agents and toxins.

Key food safety provisions include new authority to detain food in order to prevent potentially contaminated foods from entering into commercial channels. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot require the owners of food to hold distribution until a product's safety can be determined. "This provision will ensure that we can quickly move to protect Americans in case of a future emergency," Thompson stated. Another provision supported by the administration and included in the House-passed bill would allow for the FDA to debar importers who refuse to play by the rules and repeatedly import adulterated foods into this country. Still another provision requires importers to give the agency advance notice that their shipments are approaching U.S. borders.

Secretary Thompson stated, "These new authorities are long overdue and the administration is pleased to be working with members of Congress to advance these proposals. I congratulate the House of Representatives on its swift and decisive action."