Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense

On November 5, 2019, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense convened a meeting to inform its continuing assessment of the biological threat, specific vulnerabilities, and overwhelming consequences to agricultural producers.  Speakers shared their perspectives, experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions with regard to agrodefense, and talked about public and private sector responsibilities...

This meeting was held on September 17, 2019, to inform our continuing assessment of the biological threat, specific vulnerabilities, and overwhelming consequences. Topics discussed at this meeting included: The convergence of cyber- and biological sciences; The vulnerability of pathogen and biomanufacturing data systems; Biological risk mitigation; More information about this meeting, including a...

This meeting was held on July 11, 2019, to discuss A Manhattan Project for Biodefense – a national, public-private research and development undertaking to defend the Nation against biological threats. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.  

Max Brooks, the best-selling author of “World War Z” and non-resident fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point, has partnered with the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense on GERM WARFARE: A Very Graphic History. This highly stylized and engaging graphic novel reminds us never to take public health for granted. It’s all part of an effort by the bipartisan Study Panel to not only work with...

This meeting was held on February 5, 2019, and examined the responsibilities and requirements for federal biodefense efforts that are unique to the U.S. Department of Defense. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here .

This meeting was held on November 14, 2018, and examined how far the Executive Branch has come in implementing the National Blueprint for Biodefense. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.

This meeting was held on October 9, 2018, and reexamined the anthrax events of 2001, as well as subsequent biological events to discuss where we are now and what else we need to do to ensure national biodefense. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.

This meeting was held on July 31, 2018, and addressed private sector roles and responsibilities before, during, and after the response to large-scale biological events. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.

This meeting was held on April 25, 2018, and addressed transnational biological threats and the need to elevate global health security as a national and global priority. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.  

This meeting was held on January 17, 2018, and addressed the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments to respond to large-scale biological events. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.  

This meeting was held on November 2, 2017 and addressed implementation of the National Biodefense Strategy and its implications for the Office of Management and Budget, congressional authorization and appropriation, leadership, coordination, collaboration, and innovation. More information about this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.

This meeting was held on October 3, 2017 and addressed the current states of science, investigations, and intelligence for biological attribution and the extent to which they inform strategic, operational, and tactical decisions. Federal government, industry, and academic representatives discussed their perspectives, experiences, challenges, and recommended solutions with regard to biological attr...

On May 1, 2017, experts in biodefense and budget issues gathered to provide Commission Members with an understanding of and recommendations regarding leadership, interagency coordination, and risk challenges to biodefense budgeting. More information on this meeting, including a full agenda, is available here.

Members of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense discuss the growing pandemic threat and the steps the United States government needs to take in order to keep America safe. Their discussion is moderated by Max Brooks (scholar and author of World War Z). This discussion took place on May 1, 2017 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. See here for more information.  

This meeting of the Commission took place on January 26, 2017, and covers challenges and solutions for agrodefense. See here for more information on this event. Congressional Perspective The Honorable Roger Marshall, United States Representative, Kansas Panel One – Prevention and Deterrence Stephen Higgs, PhD, Associate Vice President for Research and Director, Biosecurity Research Institute Amy K...

Commissioners Donna Shalala and Jim Greenwood give testimony to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce This hearing took place on February 12, 2016. See here for more information. 

Testimony to House Committee on Armed Services The subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities of the House Committee on Armed Services held a hearing entitled, “Outside Views on Biodefense for the Department of Defense” and Commissioner Honorable Kenneth Wainstein and Commission Ex Officio member Dr. Gerald Parker served as witnesses. Their testimony can be read on the Committee’s website....

Testimony to House Committee on Homeland Security   Former Senator Lieberman and Former Governor Ridge, the Commission's Co-Chairs, update Committee Members on the Commission's work and the state of U.S. biosecurity leadership and programs, including recommendations for improving our biodefense posture.   This hearing took place on November 3, 2015. See here for more information. 

This meeting of the Commission took place on April 1, 2015, and covers response and recovery needs for biodefense. See here for more information on this event. Objective: Provide panelists with an understanding of the biodefense requirements for effective preparedness, response and recovery from biological and chemical threats that can inflict potentially catastrophic consequences. Agenda: Congres...

This meeting of the Commission took place on March 12, 2015. See here for more information on this event. Panel One: The Biosurveillance and Detection Landscape Discussion of key elements of effective biosurveillance and detection, and continued challenges in the effectiveness of ongoing efforts. Dr. Julie Gerberding, Executive Vice President for Strategic Communications, Global Public Policy and...

This meeting of the Commission took place on January 14, 2015. See here for more information on this event. Panel One: Biological Arms Control, Cooperative Threat Reduction, Global Health Security Agenda, and Quarantine Dr. David R. Franz (via internet video) Dr. Dan Gerstein Dr. Beth Cameron Dr. Mike Stoto Working Lunch: First Responder Protection  Dr. William Raub Panel Two: Biosecurity, the Sel...

Max Brooks partnered with the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense to produce GERM WARFARE: A Very Graphic History which traces the long, brutal story of biological weapons.  Download the graphic novel here: https://biodefensecommission.org/germ-warfare/