U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Stephanie Bice (R-OK) announced the formation of the BIOTech Caucus. The Caucus’ mission is to advance bipartisan policy solutions to keep the United States at the forefront of global biotechnology leadership, to engage and learn from sector leaders, and to build awareness and bioliteracy among Members of Congress.  Joining co-chairs Representatives Houlahan and Bice on the BIOTech Caucus are vice-chairs Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Pete Sessions (R-TX). 

The Caucus recognizes the strategic economic and national security imperatives of federal policy investments in emerging biotechnology. The Caucus’ founding comes after the release of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB)’s comprehensive report to Congress in April of this year. The NSCEB report showed that China is surging ahead in key areas of emerging biotechnology, and Congress must act now to ensure the United States regains and retains its competitive edge. Failure to respond urgently to this and other national vulnerabilities risks the United States falling dangerously, and potentially irrecoverably, behind. Ceding biotechnology leadership will also cripple the robust industry job growth in America. On a national scale, the bioscience industry had a $2.9 trillion impact on the economy in 2021, supporting 2.1 million jobs.  

The BIOTech Caucus will collaborate to advance, support, and champion legislation to bolster the domestic bio-economy, with three primary areas of focus:  

1. Ensuring domestic bio-security  

2. Driving bio-innovation 

3. Unlocking bio-opportunity, in particular job growth, across the country.

“I believe strongly that the United States must lead the world, with its democratic values, in shaping the future of emerging biotechnology that will fundamentally change our lives across health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and more,” said Rep. Houlahan. “I’m thrilled to be working again with Representative Bice and our vice-chairs to tackle a major national issue like we’ve done with paid family leave, and I am committed to working across the aisle to see our biotechnology recommendations come to fruition.” 

“Serving as a commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology has heighented my awareness of the capabilities and threats from our near-peer adversaries,” said Representative Bice. “The BIOTech Caucus will work to ensure that America remains a leader in biotechnology. We must champion policies that unleash innovation and grow this critical sector.”   

“Investments in biotechnology will pave America’s path toward economic and scientific leadership in the 21st-century economy. The BIOTech Caucus will be critical to fostering innovation, biosecurity, and success in industries of the future," said Rep. Ro Khanna. 

 “America’s leadership in biotechnology is critical to our national security, economic strength, and public health. The BIOTech Caucus will ensure that Congress remains informed, engaged, and proactive in supporting innovation, advancing responsible policy, and maintaining our global edge in this vital sector,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis.    

 “There are a lot of bad ideas about biotech in Washington right now. Congress must promote good ones: expand funding for basic research; protect intellectual property; set high and clear standards; lower co-pays; and take out the middlemen,” said Representative Jake Auchincloss.  

Congressman Sessions said, “I am looking forward working to fostering bipartisan collaboration on the BIOTech Caucus to support cutting-edge research and strengthen America’s competitive edge on the global stage. It is our job in Congress to create an environment where the biotechnology sector can thrive, advancing life-saving breakthroughs, generating high-quality jobs, and fueling economic growth. By embracing pro-innovation policies and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that defines American capitalism, we can secure our future and reinforce the United States as the world leader in innovation." 

“Emerging biotechnology is at an inflection point, and the creation of the BIOTech Caucus is a vital and welcome step towards making this impactful technology a national priority,” said NSCEB vice chair Michelle Rozo. “I applaud the co-chairs for their thoughtful, bipartisan leadership and look forward to collaborating with them as we work together to implement the NSCEB’s recommendations and strengthen our national and economic security.” 

Kelly Seagraves, vice president of National Security and International Affairs at BIO said, “Biotechnology means hope and health for people and patients around the world, but it also means jobs, economic growth, and national security for Americans. The bipartisan BIOTech Caucus will play a pivotal role in creating the policy and regulatory environment needed to leverage our scientific ingenuity and innovative spirit to advance U.S. leadership in biotechnology. We look forward to working closely with the BIOTech Caucus and its members to address these vital issues.”

“EBRC applauds the Chairs of the Congressional BIOTech Caucus for their leadership in launching this important bipartisan effort. Biotechnology holds immense potential to strengthen national security, drive innovation in all sectors, and create economic opportunity across America,” said India Hook-Barnard, Chief Executive Officer, Engineering Biology Research Consortium. “The recent NSCEB report has underscored the urgency of sustained congressional action to ensure U.S. leadership in emerging biotechnology, and we believe the BIOTech Caucus will play a critical role in advancing that goal. EBRC looks forward to working towards supporting this mission alongside our peer organizations. 

“Today's launch marks an important milestone in American efforts to lead the world in bio-manufacturing,” said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the newly formed American Alliance for Bio-manufacturing. “U.S. bio-manufacturers are delivering a new generation of bio-based products spanning industries as diverse as energy, defense, agriculture, chemicals, ingredients, sweeteners, materials, fabrics, and nutrition, but we need smart policy to stay ahead of the competition. We look forward to working with the BIOTech Caucus to turbo-charge resilience and growth across America's bio-economy.”