Biosecure act Fails to be Enacted

The Biosecure Act missed its expected ride through the U.S. Congress when the Senate failed to include it in the National Defense Authorization Act. However, it may not be the end of the road for the bill that would prohibit direct or indirect U.S. government contracts with listed Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern.”

The U.S. House of Representatives had previously passed HR 8333, commonly known as the BIOSECURE Act by 306-81, far exceeding the two thirds vote required to pass. The text of this bill was unamended from the version approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in May (the “House bill”). The House also chose not to include the bill in its version of the NDAA.

There was a slim chance that the bill could pass the Congress this year by hitching a ride with a CR to close the session, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The path to law for the BIOSECURE Act is even more uncertain heading into 2025.

Previously as ranking member, Sen. Paul of Kentucky cast the sole objection vote against BIOSECURE when it passed the committee in March. At that time, Paul voiced concerns over hidden anti-competition motivations behind the bill, as well as its ramifications of potential disruptions to biopharma supply chain. As Republicans take control of the Senate, Sen. Paul of Kentucky is slated to chair the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and may prove to be an obstacle to BIOSECURE once again.

MichBio will keep close tabs on any BIOSECURE legislation with its two key legislators – U.S. Rep. Moolenaar in the House who heads up the China Select Committee and Sen. Peters who was the lead sponsor of the Senate bill.