The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense has launched B-SPAN, an innovative interactive tool designed to map and analyze the United States’ biodefense efforts, according to a press release on 10th July. This tool provides a comprehensive overview of the executive and legislative branches’ involvement in addressing biological threats.
Governor Tom Ridge, Co-Chair of the Commission and the first Secretary of Homeland Security, emphasized the importance of B-SPAN in enhancing national biodefense capabilities. “This resource perfectly complements the Commission’s recently released 2024 National Blueprint for Biodefense,” said Ridge. “Our success as a nation depends on exercising authority, political will, and foresight regarding the breadth and severity of biological threats. With B-SPAN, we have a much better handle on what the government is doing to combat those threats and ensure the protection of the American people.”
Extensive Coverage of Biodefense Efforts
B-SPAN encompasses more than 500 federal entities across 15 departments, 9 independent agencies, and 1 independent institution responsible for biodefense. It also includes information on over 150 congressional committees and subcommittees involved in these activities. The tool details the mission, duties, programs, initiatives, leadership, reporting structures, jurisdiction, and biodefense equities of these entities. Additionally, it includes Commission-proposed congressional hearings. The Commission plans to continually update B-SPAN as new information becomes available.
Enhancing Accountability and Oversight
Dr. Raj Panjabi, former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense at the National Security Council, and an ex officio member of the Commission, highlighted B-SPAN’s value. “This new B-SPAN tool will prove invaluable both for those working inside government and everyone involved in defending our country and the world against biological threats,” said Panjabi. “B-SPAN provides the comprehensive insight needed to understand the complexity of individual and collective agency efforts, enabling accountability and oversight.”
A Vital Resource for Biodefense
B-SPAN is designed to support the 2024 National Blueprint for Biodefense, which addresses a wide range of biological threats, including naturally occurring deadly diseases, accidental releases from laboratories, and biological attacks. The Blueprint contains 36 recommendations and 185 action items aimed at enhancing the nation’s biodefense capabilities. An appendix to the Blueprint, titled “Proposed Congressional Hearings on the Recommendations of the 2024 National Blueprint for Biodefense,” further supports these efforts.
The Commission’s Ongoing Commitment
Established in 2014, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense conducts comprehensive assessments of U.S. biodefense efforts and issues recommendations to drive change and reform. Co-chaired by former Secretary of Homeland Security Governor Tom Ridge and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, the Commission continues to address biodefense challenges and advocate for improved policies and practices.