Bill
HR 36
H.R. 36 urges the federal government to adopt a coordinated national strategy to curb bird flu spread among wildlife, poultry, and livestock, protecting health and the food supply.
Status and basic info
- Bill number: H.R. 36 (resolution)
- Title: A resolution urging the federal government to prioritize creating a national strategy to curb the spread of bird flu.
- Introduced: Listed as filed 2025 (metadata provided shows introduction on 2025-08-18 and referral to Committee on Government Operations).
- Classification: House resolution — non‑binding expression of the House’s view (does not create law or appropriate funds).
- Primary sponsor / author: Rep. Betsy Coffia (introduced by Rep. Betsy Coffia per document); additional sponsors/co-sponsors are listed in the record.
Purpose and intent
- The resolution urges the federal government to prioritize development of a coordinated national strategy to prevent, detect, respond to, and limit the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, “bird flu”) across wild birds, poultry, livestock and to mitigate risks to human health and the food supply.
Key findings cited in the resolution (factual bases)
- CDC data cited: as of Jan 28, 2025, over 11,000 positive tests among wild birds.
- As of Feb 2025, the resolution cites ~150 million poultry affected and outbreaks in 51 jurisdictions.
- Reported spillover to other mammals (including dairy herds): nearly 1,000 dairy herds affected across 16 states (Feb 2025).
- Human cases cited: 68 confirmed human infections with at least one death (as of the cited period).
- The resolution notes there is (as of the dates cited) no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission in the U.S., but warns the outbreak risks viral evolution that could increase human transmissibility.
- It documents economic impacts (egg and milk supply/price disruptions) and public-health communication concerns.
What the resolution does (provisions)
- Formally urges the federal government to make creation of a national strategy to curb bird flu a priority.
- Expresses concern about public-health communication and the need for timely, uncensored information from federal health agencies to support response efforts.
- Requests that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and the members of the state’s (Michigan) congressional delegation.
Who would be affected
- Federal public‑health and agricultural agencies (e.g., CDC, USDA), state and local health and agriculture departments, poultry and dairy producers, related supply chains, and consumers (through potential food-price and supply effects).
- The resolution is directed at federal policymakers and agencies; it does not itself change policy or funding.
Procedural / likely impact
- As a House resolution, H.R. 36 is symbolic and advisory: it can increase pressure on the Administration and appropriators to propose or fund a coordinated response (e.g., national surveillance, animal‑human interface controls, research, emergency compensation programs, communication protocols).
- Current procedural status: referred to Committee on Government Operations (per user metadata). Further action could include committee consideration, hearings, or adoption by the full House; if adopted, it may spur executive action or follow‑on legislation that would have statutory or budgetary effect.
Bottom line
- H.R. 36 is a non‑binding Congressional statement calling for a coordinated federal strategy to address an ongoing and evolving avian influenza outbreak that has affected wild birds, poultry, dairy herds, and caused human cases. Its primary practical effect would be to focus Congressional and public attention and to encourage executive and legislative follow‑up measures.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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