Stopping the Spread of Taxpayer-Funded Bioweapons Act of 2022

Stopping the Spread of Taxpayer-Funded Bioweapons Act of 2022

This bill prohibits the Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program from engaging in certain activities related to biological threats. (The program works with foreign countries to address the risks from weapons of mass destruction, including by securing such weapons and detecting the spread of especially dangerous pathogens.)

Specifically, the program may not engage in (1) cooperative biological engagement; or (2) activities for facilitating the detection and reporting of diseases that could be used as an early warning detection mechanism for outbreaks, regardless of whether such diseases are caused by biological weapons.

Bill 117 HR 7125, also known as the Stopping the Spread of Taxpayer-Funded Bioweapons Act of 2022, aims to prevent the use of taxpayer funds for the development and spread of bioweapons. The bill was introduced in response to concerns about the potential misuse of government resources for the creation of dangerous biological weapons.

The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Prohibiting the use of federal funds for the development, production, or dissemination of bioweapons. 2. Requiring government agencies to report any potential violations of this prohibition to Congress. 3. Establishing penalties for individuals or organizations found to be in violation of the ban on taxpayer-funded bioweapons. The bill has received bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties recognizing the importance of preventing the misuse of taxpayer funds for potentially harmful purposes. Supporters of the bill argue that it is essential to safeguard national security and protect public safety. Opponents of the bill have raised concerns about the potential impact on scientific research and innovation, arguing that overly restrictive regulations could hinder important advancements in the field of biotechnology. However, proponents of the bill maintain that the risks associated with the development of bioweapons outweigh any potential benefits. Overall, Bill 117 HR 7125 represents a bipartisan effort to address the growing threat of bioterrorism and ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly and ethically. If passed, the legislation would establish important safeguards to prevent the misuse of government resources for the creation of dangerous biological weapons.