Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-03-12

Valadao, Levin Take Action to Fight Against Dangerous Drug-Resistant Diseases

TaxesEnvironment

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This press release from Representative David G. Valadao (R-CA) was published on 2026-03-12 and titled "Valadao, Levin Take Action to Fight Against Dangerous Drug-Resistant Diseases". It focuses on taxes and touches on the environment.

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Valadao, Levin Take Action to Fight Against Dangerous Drug-Resistant Diseases

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) in reintroducing the Saving Us from Pandemic Era Resistance by Building a Unified Global Strategy (SUPER BUGS) Act . This bipartisan bill would help prepare for future pandemics by directing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Department of State, to coordinate with foreign countries and other entities on the development and commercialization of new antimicrobial drugs, diagnostics, and other products to fight the global spread of pathogens resistant to treatment, also called “superbugs.” In the Central Valley, Valley Fever is a superbug that is resistant to antifungal treatment and has become more common in recent years. “In the Central Valley, we see firsthand the growing threat of superbugs like Valley Fever, which are becoming harder to treat,” said Congressman Valadao. “The bipartisan SUPER BUGS Act strengthens coordination with our international partners to accelerate new treatments and tools to combat drug-resistant pathogens, and I’m proud to partner with Congressman Levin to help prevent the next global pandemic.” “There is scientific consensus on the fact that our world will experience another global pandemic, and the next one is likely to be connected to antimicrobial resistance. It’s not a matter of if it will happen, it’s a matter of when,” said Rep. Levin. “In order to protect Americans and people across the world, we need international cooperation and a global strategy to fight superbugs that have become resistant to modern medicine. Our bill would direct the development of drugs and other products to fight superbugs by entering into partnerships with other countries and multilateral organizations. I thank Rep. Valadao for his partnership on this bill and look forward to it moving through the legislative process quickly.” Supporting organizations include the American Society of Microbiology, Global Health Technologies Coalition, American Public Health Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Sepsis Alliance, Treatment Action Group, and IAVI. Background: Antimicrobials—including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic medicines—are essential tools used to prevent and treat infections. However, the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance is making many of these treatments less effective. As bacteria and other pathogens evolve to withstand existing drugs, infections that were once easily treatable are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. In the United States alone, antibiotic-resistant bacteria infect at least 2.8 million people each year and cause more than 35,000 deaths. Despite the rising threat, the pipeline for new antimicrobial drugs remains limited. Because antimicrobial medicines are typically intended for short-term use, they often generate lower long-term revenue compared with drugs for chronic conditions, making them less attractive investments for pharmaceutical developers. As of December 2018, there were 42 antibiotics in the global clinical development pipeline. Of those, only 11 were being developed to target “superbugs” identified on the World Health Organization’s critical threat list, highlighting a significant gap between the growing public health need and the pace of new drug development. Read the bill here . ###

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Valadao, Levin Take Action to Fight Against Dangerous Drug-Resistant Diseases WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) in reintroducing the Saving Us from Pandemic Era Resistance by Building a Unified Global Strategy (SUPER BUGS) Act . This bipartisan bill would help prepare for future pandemics by directing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Department of State, to coordinate with foreign countries and other entities on the development and commercialization of new antimicrobial drugs, diagnostics, and other products to fight the global spread of pathogens resistant to treatment, also called “superbugs.” In the Central Valley, Valley Fever is a superbug that is resistant to antifungal treatment and has become more common in recent years. “In the Central Valley, we see firsthand the growing threat of superbugs like Valley Fever, which are becoming harder to treat,” said Congressman Valadao. “The bipartisan SUPER BUGS Act strengthens coordination with our international partners to accelerate new treatments and tools to combat drug-resistant pathogens, and I’m proud to partner with Congressman Levin to help prevent the next global pandemic.” “There is scientific consensus on the fact that our world will experience another global pandemic, and the next one is likely to be connected to antimicrobial resistance. It’s not a matter of if it will happen, it’s a matter of when,” said Rep. Levin. “In order to protect Americans and people across the world, we need international cooperation and a global strategy to fight superbugs that have become resistant to modern medicine. Our bill would direct the development of drugs and other products to fight superbugs by entering into partnerships with other countries and multilateral organizations. I thank Rep. Valadao for his partnership on this bill and look forward to it moving through the legislative process quickly.” Supporting organizations include the American Society of Microbiology, Global Health Technologies Coalition, American Public Health Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Sepsis Alliance, Treatment Action Group, and IAVI. Background: Antimicrobials—including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic medicines—are essential tools used to prevent and treat infections. However, the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance is making many of these treatments less effective. As bacteria and other pathogens evolve to withstand existing drugs, infections that were once easily treatable are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. In the United States alone, antibiotic-resistant bacteria infect at least 2.8 million people each year and cause more than 35,000 deaths. Despite the rising threat, the pipeline for new antimicrobial drugs remains limited. Because antimicrobial medicines are typically intended for short-term use, they often generate lower long-term revenue compared with drugs for chronic conditions, making them less attractive investments for pharmaceutical developers. As of December 2018, there were 42 antibiotics in the global clinical development pipeline. Of those, only 11 were being developed to target “superbugs” identified on the World Health Organization’s critical threat list, highlighting a significant gap between the growing public health need and the pace of new drug development. Read the bill here . ###