Foster, Leger Fernández Introduce Legislation to Bolster Research into COVID-19, Emerging Biothreats

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), the Democratic Co-Chairs of the National Labs Caucus, introduced the National Laboratory Biotechnology Research Act.   

This legislation would codify the National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory (NVBL) as a joint program between the Office of Science, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and the other National Laboratories, with a mission to research and respond to remaining threats posed by COVID-19 and future biological threats. The National Laboratory Biotechnology Research Act authorizes an increase of $20 million in NVBL funding over five years, and also directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to release a NVBL strategic plan and progress evaluation every two years. 

Founded in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NVBL is a consortium of all seventeen DOE National Laboratories, including those under the Office of Science and NNSA. The NVBL was initially funded by the CARES Act, but no longer has an independent funding stream, meaning the NVBL and its participating labs are at risk of losing funding. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that we must do everything in our power to prepare for the next public health threat,” said Rep. Foster. “Since its creation in 2020, the NVBL has played an instrumental role in the research needed to protect Americans against COVID-19 and other biological threats. This legislation would be an important first step in ensuring the NVBL is equipped with the resources and funding it needs to continue this lifesaving research.”  

“When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, the scientists, engineers, and staff at our National Laboratories in New Mexico and across the country responded with ingenuity and innovation to protect Americans through the National Virtual Biotechnology Laboratory. I’m proud to co-lead with Congressman Foster the National Laboratory Biotechnology Research Act to help make sure that our scientists continue this important work to safeguard Americans from current and future public health threats,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. 

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