Biophysical Society Bulletin | September 2020

Public Affairs

Senate Introduces the Preparing for the Next Pandemic Act HELP Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) has introduced legisla- tion, the Preparing for the Next Pandemic Act (S 4231), autho- rizing $15 billion over 10 years to bring manufacturing for tests, treatments, and vaccines for new viruses into the United States, create state-based stockpiles of medical supplies, and reform the Strategic National Stockpile to allow for coordination with the private sector. S. 4231 would provide new, sustained funding—$5 billion over 10 years—tomaintain sufficient onshore manufacturing for tests, treatments, and vaccines so that when a new virus emerges, the United States has a facility ready tomanufacture those products as quickly as possible. The legislation would also provide $10 billion over 10 years so that states can create and maintain their own stockpiles of supplies such as masks and ventilators with help from the federal government. The legislation would improve the federal Strategic National Stockpile, by allow- ing the federal government to work with companies tomaintain additional supplies andmanufacturing capacity so we are better prepared for the next pandemic. The introduction of this legislation follows recommendations released by Senator Alexander in early June that focus on addressing future pandemics based on lessons learned from COVID-19 and the past 20 years of pandemic planning. Around theWorld British Government Publishes Research and Development Roadmap  Following Brexit, the United Kingdom knew it needed to revisit how it approached investment in scientific research and develop- ment. In July, the UK Research and Development Roadmap was published, outlining a long-termplan to support an economic recovery founded on research and innovation through 2027. The roadmap reinforces the government’s commitment to increasing UK investment in research and development (R&D) to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027. This builds on the announcement inMarch by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak of a substantial increase in public funding for R&D to £22 billion per year by 2024-2025. It sets out—and invites a nationwide conversation on—how this investment can best support the government’s efforts to address global challenges, from tackling climate change and developing newmedicines to improving public services and increasing economic productivity and prosperity.

• provide supplemental funding through existing competitively awarded cooperative agreements and contracts to cover the increased costs of construction of scientific facilities and equipment that have been delayed because of COVID-19; and • award grants and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education to conduct research on the behavioral, social, or economic effects of COVID-19 and the responses to the disease or on the effectiveness of such responses. COVID-19 Emergency Funding – Senate HEALS Act In late July, the Senate Republicans began releasing their Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act as a series of bills. As part of this package, Senate Appropri- ations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) introduced an emergency funding bill, S. 4320. Some highlights of the package include: • $3.4 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion, specifically: • $1.5 billion for grants or cooperative agreements with states and local health officials to carry out prepared- ness and response activities • $500million to prepare for and distribute seasonal influenza vaccines • $200million for global disease detection and emergency response • $200million for public health data modernization. • $15.5 billion for NIH that includes $10 billion to offset re- ductions in laboratory productivity; $1.3 billion for additional research; $1.2 billion to accelerate research and development of therapeutics and vaccines; and $240million for supple- ments for existing research training; and specific funding for several institutes and centers. • $29 billion to the Department of Health and Human Services for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. • $16 billion for testing, contact tracing, surveillance, and mitigation. Negotiations began immediately between Democrats and Republicans in both chambers and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin andWhite House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows .

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