Text of Senate Amendment 6095

On 2026-06-24, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6095" in the Senate.

Text of Senate Amendment 6095

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3304-S3305] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6095. Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Budd) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following: SEC. 10__. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL BRIEFINGS ON NATIONAL BIODEFENSE STRATEGY. Section 1086(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (6 U.S.C. 104(d)) is amended by striking ``March 1, 2025'' and inserting ``the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027''. SEC. 10__. ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO ENGINEERING BIOLOGY RISKS. (a) In General.--The first time after the date of the enactment of this Act that findings are provided to the appropriate congressional committees pursuant to the biennial update of the biodefense threat assessment under section 364(d)(1)(D) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (6 U.S.C. 106(d)(1)(D)), such findings shall include an analysis of, and recommendations to enhance, the readiness of the United States national security enterprise and life science research enterprise against engineering biology risks. (b) Matters Included.-- (1) Analysis.--The analysis required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (A) An assessment of the threat to national security and public safety posed by current and anticipated engineering biology risks. (B) A description of current lines of research and development in covered departments and agencies relating to biodefense against engineering biology risks, including prevention, deterrence, preparedness, detection, response, attribution, recovery, and mitigation. (C) An analysis of authorities, regulations, and programs pertaining to engineering biology risks, in the United States, including biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense. (D) An evaluation of gaps, deficiencies, redundancies, and ambiguities in authorities and regulations pertaining to engineering biology risks. (E) Such other matters as the heads of the covered departments and agencies jointly consider relevant. (2) Recommendations.--The recommendations required by subsection (a) shall include recommendations for the following: (A) Aligning lines of research and development across covered departments and agencies to reduce redundant efforts and promote the mutual benefit for purposes of biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense against engineering biology risks. [[Page S3305]] (B) Modernizing biosafety, biosecurity, and biodefense authorities, regulations, and programs pertaining to engineering biology risks to ensure the United States-- (i) mitigates the safety and security threat to national security and public safety posed by engineering biology risks; and (ii) benefits from the research, development, application, and dissemination of innovations in engineering biology under an enduring governance framework that accommodates novel discoveries and capabilities in life sciences research; (C) Establishing a program or programs, or modernizing an existing program or programs-- (i) to establish and enforce safeguards to mitigate engineering biology risks to national security or public safety; and (ii) to identify best practices, promulgate voluntary guidance, and provide consultation on matters of biosecurity and biosafety in the United States. (D) For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C), detailed proposed legislative action and an estimate of the amount of funding necessary to ensure that relevant programs have adequate resources. (E) Such other matters as the heads of the covered departments and agencies jointly consider relevant. (c) Consultation.--The recommendations described in subsection (b)(2) shall be developed in consultation with-- (1) individuals representing industry, academia, and civil society, including representatives of the life sciences research enterprise who have not received any Federal grant or contract in the preceding five years; and (2) such other government agencies or interested stakeholders as the heads of the covered departments and agencies jointly consider appropriate. (d) Form.--The analysis and recommendations required by this section shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (e) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``covered departments and agencies'' means the departments and agencies included in section 364(a) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (6 U.S.C. 106(a)). (2) The term ``engineering biology'' has the meaning given such term in section 10002 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18901). (3) The term ``engineering biology risk'' means a risk to national security or public safety arising from the misuse, abuse, or accidental release of materials arising from, or the misuse or abuse of methods, tools, or information pertaining to, engineering biology. ______