Good morning, everybody. If we can go ahead and take your seats, well get started in a moment. Good morning, im the chief medical advisor of the bipartisan Politics Center and i want to welcome all of you to todays event entitled budgeting for biodefense are we prepared. Our mission is to actively seek to combine the best ideas from both Political Parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all americans. We drive principled and politically viable policy solutions through the power of analysis, negotiation, and advocacy. Yesterday, former senators tom daschle and judd greg released a b. P. C. Report outlining options for policymakers to optimize funding that supports the procurement of medical countermeasures needed in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear event. Today well hear about the findings from this report and hear from experts from congress, the executive branch and industry. Without further ado, id like to vite b. B. C. Cofounder and former
Ms. Pelosi good morning. Good morning, everyone. Once again, we come together very sadly, our hearts have been broken by the tragedy of gun violence. This time at a high school. Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in florida. 17 pronounced dead. More wounded. Innocent children. Sending terrified texts and goodbyes to their parents. We thank god for the heroism of the teachers, the school leaders, and our First Responders going into harms way to save lives. Once again we see the urgency of congress to take true commonsense action to prevent gun violence. Everyone is saying we need more information. And we do. And thats why im very pleased to be join here this morning by congressman mike thompson, hes the chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task force. He has served in the military. Knows how to use guns. Hes a hunter. Hes a believer in the second amendment. Well, hell speak to his own credentials. I just want at that to say how proud we are of him for taking the lead on this issue. An