S. 3414 — Introduced in Senate

II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 3414 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 16, 2021Mr. Marshall (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Inhofe, Mrs. Blackburn, and Ms. Ernst) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To require the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the policies and actions of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research involving the enhancement of potential pandemic pathogens and related activities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Biosecurity Improvement Act of 2021. 2. GAO study (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the policies and past actions of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research involving the enhancement of potential pandemic pathogens and related research that could result in unintended homeland and national security concerns. Such study shall consider— (1) how Federal agencies that fund research involving the enhancement of potential pandemic pathogens and related risky research with potentially dangerous pathogens, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense, ensure that such research is conducted safely and securely and without compromising national security; (2) efforts to establish a common domestic and international approach to ensuring the safety and security of research involving the enhancement of potential pandemic pathogens and related risky research with potentially dangerous pathogens; and (3) the extent that Federal agencies described in paragraph (1) consider national security information when making decisions about Federal funding to support research in other countries. (b) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including policy recommendations.