Press Releases

Rose Introduces Legislation to Establish New Cabinet-Level Position to Coordinate Pandemic Preparedness & Response

New Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response position would develop and direct the implementation of a National Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response Strategy

Staten Island, April 27, 2020

Congressman Max Rose announced today new legislation that he introduced to establish a Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response, which would be a new Cabinet-level position that will prepare for and coordinate the response to a pandemic, biological attack or other major health crisis. Such a position is clearly needed. As in previous pandemics and other major health crises, confusion during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic about who would coordinate the response of multiple agencies led to calls for a “czar” to be named, as well as a new Task Force to be created. 

 

“We’re seeing the drastic and devastating impact a pandemic can have on our country, and the fact is, we need to be better prepared for the next wave or next outbreak,” Rose said. “Pandemics reach every corner of our society and require a whole-of-government response, both in preparation and response. This position will ensure we have someone specifically dedicated and properly empowered to marshal every resource available to the federal government to defeat whatever may come next.”

 

The Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response would:

  • Develop and direct the implementation of a National Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response Strategy;
  • Act as the principal adviser to the President in a time of pandemic, biological attack or other major health crisis and coordinate the nation’s response to such a crisis;
  • Develop pandemic and biodefense training with professional medical societies; and
  • Serve as a member of the National Security Council.

 

Just as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) position was established following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 to better coordinate all relevant agencies within the Intelligence Community, the Director of Pandemic and Biodefense Preparedness and Response would ensure the coordination of relevant agencies and the breaking down of silos through one accountable office.

 

In a recent simulation exercise of a pandemic response conducted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the senior bipartisan officials who participated came to the conclusion that such a position is needed. There was “universal agreement on the need for a single senior official to coordinate federal agencies’ responses and weigh competing interests. The person needed to be above the agencies and have the ear of the president.”

 

Full text of legislation available HERE.

 

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