A ‘new direction’ against biological threats
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the infamous “anthrax letters,” distributed beginning one week after the September 11 attacks of 2001. “Thought to be an indication of possible further terrorist activity,” National Security Advisor John Bolton says, these letters brought to Americans’ attention—many for the first time—the very real threat of bioweapons in the hands of our enemies.
America cannot afford to take chances.
Under President Donald J. Trump, it won’t. Today, the President signed off on a first-of-its-kind National Biodefense Strategy, one that signals “a new direction” in our approach to biological threats.
The strategy’s key objective is creating a more efficient and accountable biodefense enterprise. Until now, Federal agencies have had disparate programs that were not centrally coordinated. Today’s Memorandum names Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar as the Federal lead for biodefense and establishes a Cabinet-level Biodefense Steering Committee.
Biological threats know no borders.
Whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate in nature, these risks are among the most serious facing America and its allies. The 2001 anthrax attacks, the 2009 influenza pandemic, the 2014 Ebola epidemic, and the more recent Zika epidemic all reveal the potential for widespread harm and anxiety if such threats are left ignored.
“With these actions today, I am reaffirming my unwavering commitment to protecting the American people, the American homeland, and the American way of life,” President Trump writes.
The NSPM I have signed directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to serve as the Federal lead in coordinating implementation of the National Biodefense Strategy.
It also establishes a Cabinet-level Biodefense Steering Committee to support the transformation of America’s biodefense enterprise and to protect Americans from bioterrorism and natural outbreaks of deadly diseases.
Finally, it directs my National Security Advisor to review biological threats and prioritize biodefense actions annually, which will enable the Government to better anticipate, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from biological incidents.
My Administration is changing the Government’s approach so that it can adapt to the complex nature of biological threats.
Our National Biodefense Strategy will address the full range of biological threats, including those that are naturally occurring, deliberate, and accidental—a first for the United States Government.
We will comprehensively evaluate our national biodefense needs and monitor implementation of our strategy on an ongoing basis in order to prioritize effectively the Government’s biodefense resources and actions.
My Administration is focused on strengthening our Nation’s defenses against the full range of threats to our health and security, including those of a biological nature.
With these actions today, I am reaffirming my unwavering commitment to protecting the American people, the American homeland, and the American way of life.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statemen...aign=1600d
Today marks the 17th anniversary of the infamous “anthrax letters,” distributed beginning one week after the September 11 attacks of 2001. “Thought to be an indication of possible further terrorist activity,” National Security Advisor John Bolton says, these letters brought to Americans’ attention—many for the first time—the very real threat of bioweapons in the hands of our enemies.
America cannot afford to take chances.
Under President Donald J. Trump, it won’t. Today, the President signed off on a first-of-its-kind National Biodefense Strategy, one that signals “a new direction” in our approach to biological threats.
The strategy’s key objective is creating a more efficient and accountable biodefense enterprise. Until now, Federal agencies have had disparate programs that were not centrally coordinated. Today’s Memorandum names Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar as the Federal lead for biodefense and establishes a Cabinet-level Biodefense Steering Committee.
Biological threats know no borders.
Whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate in nature, these risks are among the most serious facing America and its allies. The 2001 anthrax attacks, the 2009 influenza pandemic, the 2014 Ebola epidemic, and the more recent Zika epidemic all reveal the potential for widespread harm and anxiety if such threats are left ignored.
“With these actions today, I am reaffirming my unwavering commitment to protecting the American people, the American homeland, and the American way of life,” President Trump writes.
The NSPM I have signed directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to serve as the Federal lead in coordinating implementation of the National Biodefense Strategy.
It also establishes a Cabinet-level Biodefense Steering Committee to support the transformation of America’s biodefense enterprise and to protect Americans from bioterrorism and natural outbreaks of deadly diseases.
Finally, it directs my National Security Advisor to review biological threats and prioritize biodefense actions annually, which will enable the Government to better anticipate, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from biological incidents.
My Administration is changing the Government’s approach so that it can adapt to the complex nature of biological threats.
Our National Biodefense Strategy will address the full range of biological threats, including those that are naturally occurring, deliberate, and accidental—a first for the United States Government.
We will comprehensively evaluate our national biodefense needs and monitor implementation of our strategy on an ongoing basis in order to prioritize effectively the Government’s biodefense resources and actions.
My Administration is focused on strengthening our Nation’s defenses against the full range of threats to our health and security, including those of a biological nature.
With these actions today, I am reaffirming my unwavering commitment to protecting the American people, the American homeland, and the American way of life.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statemen...aign=1600d
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