Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California
WASHINGTON — Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), David Valadao (CA-22), Vince Fong (CA-20), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Dina Titus (NV-01) today led a bipartisan letter to House leadership and the Energy and Commerce Committee to move quickly on legislation that strengthens safeguards against illegal biological laboratories and improves coordination for communities and first responders. The Members sent a letter requesting an immediate hearing and subsequent markup on H.R. 5747, the Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2025, legislation developed in direct response to the illegal laboratory discovered in Reedley, California in December of 2022.
Their request comes as authorities in Las Vegas continue an active investigation linked to Reedley, also involving suspected biological materials and lab equipment discovered at a residential property. Reports indicate a large volume of evidence was recovered and sent for testing, underscoring concerns that suspicious biological activity can emerge quickly and leave local officials navigating high-risk situations without clear federal guardrails.
“Recent incidents have made clear that dangerous biological activity can fall into a real oversight gray zone. Congress has a clear opportunity to close those gaps and ensure first responders are not left to navigate high risk biological incidents without clear federal guardrails before the next incident puts another community at risk,” said the Members. “The active investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation involving suspected biological materials only reinforces the urgency of closing those gaps now rather than after the next incident. Taken along with continued public reporting about potential links back to the earlier Reedley operation and alleged foreign linked financing concerns, the need for practical federal safeguards and clearer coordination channels is hard to ignore.”
The Members emphasized they stand ready to work with House leadership and the Committee on Energy and Commerce to advance a bipartisan path forward and deliver practical, commonsense safeguards that protect communities and support first responders.
Read the full letter here.