Hudson Introduces Bill to Expand Future Vaccine Development

Press Release

U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), the House Republican leader on pandemic preparedness, has introduced legislation to enhance the development of vaccines through public-private partnerships with the FDA and NIH. The legislation was cosponsored by Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-18), the Health Subcommittee Chair. This is the second bill introduced by Rep. Hudson this week focused on pandemic preparedness issues.

The Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration Act would increase the level of funding that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can transfer and allocate to their respective foundations. This increase will expand the public health missions of both the NIH and FDA, as well as advance collaboration and innovation with both foundations to address cutting-edge regulatory science challenges, including supporting the current research and development of COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.

"The record-setting development of COVID-19 vaccines has helped our country emerge from this pandemic. This legislation will allow the NIH and FDA to build on this success and develop vaccines and treatments sooner working with the private sector," said Rep. Hudson. "I thank Health Subcommittee Chair Rep. Eshoo for helping introduce this bipartisan bill and look forward to advancing it in Congress."

"This past year the federal government coordinated with private foundations to develop the life-saving Covid-19 vaccine. The success of this effort is evidence that we should continue to fund and strengthen partnerships with the private sector that fuel groundbreaking research. Our legislation would allow the NIH and FDA to continue to work with independent, non-profit organizations to combat Covid-19 and other public health crises," said Rep. Eshoo. "I'm proud to work with Congressman Hudson on this legislation that will strengthen America's public health system and spur nationwide innovation."

The FNIH and Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA are independent, non-profit organizations that perform critical work to support the public health missions of the NIH and FDA. Under current law, the NIH and FDA may transfer funding to their respective foundations, within statutory limits, but these limits have not increased since 2007. Senate companion legislation has been introduced by Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

Rep. Hudson is the House Republican leader on pandemic preparedness issues, working to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure our country is well prepared for the next one. Last Congress, Rep. Hudson included legislation to expand vaccine development as part of H.R. 14, the Commitment to Defeat the Virus and keep America Health Act. Rep. Hudson introduced H.R. 14 which included more than 50 Energy and Commerce Committee bills, as well as provisions from the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees. Rep. Hudson's H.R. 14 was House Republicans' primary comprehensive COVID-19 response legislation, but did not advance last Congress.

Earlier this week, Rep. Hudson introduced the Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act, a bipartisan package of measures to strengthen the national stockpile of PPE, expand American manufacturing, and ensure our country's ability to respond to and prepare for future pandemics.

Read more about that bill here.

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