The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) considered and advanced the Risky Research Review Act (S.854) in an 11-2 vote on July 30 with Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) voting against the measure. The legislation would establish new federal oversight of life sciences research. The bill was approved by the committee in the 118th Congress and reintroduced by HSGAC Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in March [refer to Washington Highlights, Sept. 27, 2024]. A House companion bill (H.R. 1864) was introduced by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) on March 5 [refer to Washington Highlights, March 7]. In addition, the committee advanced the Royalty Transparency Act (S. 855) by unanimous vote. The bill would require federal employees serving on select public health and science-related advisory committees to include royalties in financial disclosures and to make said disclosures publicly available.
As Congress considers enhanced oversight of life sciences research, the AAMC and 39 organizations joined a July 29 letter (PDF) to National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, highlighting concerns regarding federal science agency implementation of the “Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research" executive order.