Bioterrorism on docket of Emergency Preparedness subcommittee

The House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communication said it will focus on biological threats and strategic prevention at its hearing Wednesday.
  
Witness scheduled to testify include University of Arizona College of Medicine interim Dean Charles Cairns, former Missouri Sen. Jim Talent and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Emergency Planning and Response Deputy Commissioner Marisa Raphael.
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), who chairs the subcommittee, will provide the opening remarks.
   
"The risk of a biological terrorist attack to America is an urgent and serious threat," McSally said. "A bioattack could cause illness and even kill hundreds of thousands of people, overwhelm our public health capabilities, and create significant economic, societal and political consequences. Our nation’s capacity to prevent, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of biological terror incidents is a top national security priority. This hearing will highlight the threat of bioterrorism and ensure we’re taking the needed steps to prepare for and defend America against this threat.”
 
The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C.