Biodefense Diplomacy Enhancement Act
Sponsored By: Representative Self, Keith [R-TX-3]
In Committee
Summary
Strengthening NATO and allied cooperation on biodefense and biotechnology is the bill's central aim. This bill would task the State Department to lead international diplomacy and planning on biosecurity, biosurveillance, and biological threat countermeasures and to produce coordinated strategies and reports.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger NATO biodefense planning
This bill would require the Secretary of State to produce a NATO Biodefense Strategy within 270 days. The plan would assess current U.S.–NATO work on biotechnology, biosurveillance, countermeasures, and other biodefense capabilities. It would identify gaps and recommend ways to improve NATO planning, interoperability, detection, attribution, response, and recovery. The work would be led by State, routed through the Under Secretary for Arms Control (if delegated) and coordinated with the Under Secretary for Political Affairs and the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, and limited to biological agents and toxins as defined in 18 U.S.C. 178.
International biotechnology cooperation strategy
This bill would require the Secretary of State to write an International Biotechnology, Biosecurity, and Biodefense Cooperation Strategy within 270 days. The strategy would propose commitments with allies and major non‑NATO partners, and assess whether export-control coordination beyond existing regimes could reduce risks from dual-use biotechnology items. It would also review NADR programs and funds and recommend how State Department programs and NADR funds could be used to expand cooperation and improve export-control effectiveness. The work would be limited to threats from biological agents and toxins as defined in 18 U.S.C. 178.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Self, Keith [R-TX-3]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Keating
MA • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]
IN • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov