The undersigned organizations are writing to urge the Committee to begin the legislative process to address the issue of decarbonizing the transportation fuel sector in support of a national goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide not later than 2050. Without immediate action in the 117th Congress, that goal is very likely unattainable.

BIO would like to formally support the nomination of Dawn O’Connell to serve as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (“BIO”) is the world’s largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers, and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members have a long history of successful partnerships with the ASPR office and look forward to continuing to do so under the leadership of Ms. O’Connell.

Thank you for prioritizing agricultural innovation in your recent dialogues with international counterparts. As you seek to position agriculture as a solution to domestic and global climate and sustainability challenges, the United States must continue to address acute and systemic trade barriers to innovative biotechnology tools in important export markets. To fully leverage the potential of technology to address these challenges, a level-playing field globally will be essential. Harnessing the latest science to combat climate change will require a global strategy. One that addresses existing trade barriers in China, the EU, and Mexico and builds common ground on how these technologies can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. BIO urges the Administration to build a proactive trade policy agenda aimed at addressing existing barriers to biotechnology and facilitating regulatory approvals for critical climate technologies for agriculture.