BioCentury
ARTICLE | Politics, Policy & Law

Biosecure setback amid lawmakers’ push to reduce reliance on China

Defense bill places biotech under national security umbrella

December 9, 2024 10:22 PM UTC

Congress’ decision against adding the Biosecure Act to the National Defense Authorization Act reduces the odds that the legislation will become law this year, but lawmakers have not abandoned their intent to reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese biopharmaceutical manufacturing and services providers. The NDAA draft released Saturday evening contains multiple provisions aimed at enhancing U.S. biotech supply chain resilience.

Two of the four lawmakers with power over NDAA provisions, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), refused to sign off on inclusion of the anti-China biotech bill in the defense bill...