H.R. 7879 — SUPER BUGS Act of 2026

This section sets forth congressional findings on the national security threats posed by emerging infectious diseases, including antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, which increase U.S. outbreak risks, disrupt infrastructure, undermine economic stability and public health, and impair Armed Forces readiness abroad. The section further finds that strengthening international collaboration to develop, commercialize, and deploy qualified pandemic and epidemic products; enhancing partner countries' public health capabilities; and leveraging U.S. leadership for coordinated, equitable strategies are essential to global resilience and U.S. homeland security.

This section defines terms for purposes of the Act, including: (1) appropriate committees of Congress as the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and Commerce; (2) priority pathogens as those identified in the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report (or successor) or the current list of qualifying pathogens maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under 21 U.S.C. 355f(f)(2) (or successor list); and (3) qualified pandemic or epidemic product as defined in section 319F–3(i) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–6d(i)).

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other appropriate agency heads, to develop and submit to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than 18 months after enactment, a strategy for the federal government to secure support from foreign countries, multilateral organizations, and other entities to facilitate the development and commercialization of qualified pandemic or epidemic products, including products to address antimicrobial-resistant pathogens that have pandemic potential or are priority pathogens. The strategy must (1) outline processes for entering arrangements with such entities; (2) promote equitable contributions based on participants' budgets and expertise; (3) focus on global priorities while allowing emphasis on national or regional issues; (4) support sustainable improvements in partner countries' public health capabilities to prevent, detect, and contain infectious disease threats; (5) harmonize new and existing arrangements with relevant efforts to maximize impact and avoid duplication; (6) allocate joint or individual responsibilities for specific products; (7) provide for stewardship of developed products; (8) identify priority actions to optimize use of funds for maximum human health impact, including novel approaches to infectious diseases; (9) consider engagement with U.S. companies, public-private partnerships, alternative payment models, coverage pathways, and streamlined regulatory approvals; and (10) align with U.S. pandemic preparedness priorities, such as the National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (2014) and the National Biodefense Strategy (2022). This section further directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with HHS and other relevant agency heads, to seek arrangements with foreign countries, multilateral organizations, and other entities to implement the strategy.