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H.R.4603 / 109th Congress

Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Act of 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 16, 2005

Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to issue a pandemic influenza declaration putting into effect provisions relating to government liability and compensation for injuries with respect to specified countermeasures. Requires the Secretary to establish a compensation program for countermeasure-related injuries or deaths. Establishes the Pandemic Influenza Countermeasure Injury Compensation Fund. Establishes the liability of the United States for claims arising out of the administration of a covered countermeasure by a qualified person during the period of such declaration.

Requires states to have an approved state pandemic influenza preparedness plan as a condition of receiving certain bioterrorism funds.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide for the purchase of excess stocks of influenza vaccine; (2) establish minimum thresholds for state pandemic influenza surveillance; (3) procure antivirals, vaccines, essential medication, and other supplies related to a pandemic influenza for the Strategic National Stockpile; and (4) develop a national system for tracking and distributing antiviral medications and vaccines.

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Establishes a Global Network for Avian Influenza Surveillance.

Provides for: (1) the development of an influenza public education campaign; (2) the expansion and intensification of influenza research; and (3) the development of best practices and social science research.

Requires the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary to develop workplace standards to protect health care workers and first responders from workplace exposure to pandemic influenza.

Authorizes the Secretary of State to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat the avian influenza virus.

Requires the Secretary of State to: (1) designate a coordinator of U.S. assistance to combat the avian influenza virus; and (2) develop country strategies to prevent, mitigate, and respond to outbreaks in designated high-risk countries.

Requires the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish an early warning system to prevent, mitigate, and respond to outbreaks of the avian influenza virus in foreign countries.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-18] · D–NY

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Agriculture Committee
  • Financial Services Committee
  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  • Natural Resources Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Foreign Affairs Committee
51 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture.

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.

  5. Referred to the Subcommittee on Research.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

  7. Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.

  8. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  9. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  10. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  11. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  12. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  13. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  14. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  15. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  16. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Resources, Agriculture, International Relations, Education and the Workforce, Science, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  17. Introduced in House

  18. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4603 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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