House Passes Amendment to Investigate Cold War-Era Bio-Weapons Program Involving Lyme Disease-Carrying Ticks

Strategic Insights -

Representative Chris Smith's (R-NJ) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2025 has passed the House, directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the Cold War-era Department of Defense's bioweapons program and potential use of ticks as delivery mechanisms for biological warfare agents. This move comes as concern about Lyme disease continues to grow, particularly in Smith's home state of New Jersey, which has one of the highest Lyme disease rates in the country. The investigation aims to uncover the origins of the disease and its potential link to the bioweapons program.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House has passed a measure to investigate the Cold War-era Department of Defense's bioweapons program, focusing on the potential use of ticks as hosts or delivery mechanisms for biological warfare agents.
  • Lyme disease is a significant concern in New Jersey, with all 21 counties affected by the disease, putting both civilians and military personnel at risk.
  • The investigation will review research conducted between January 1, 1945, and December 31, 1972, by the military, National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other federal agencies.
  • Dr. Willy Burgdorfer, credited with discovering Lyme disease, has personal files that allegedly reveal bio-weapons specialists' experiments involving ticks and pathogens.
  • The Smith amendment aims to uncover the truth about the origins of Lyme disease and find effective treatments and a potential cure.
  • The FY26 NDAA (HR 3838) authorizes $892.6 billion for national defense programs, including a 3.8% pay raise for service members and $3 billion for construction projects to improve the quality of life for service members and their families.

Statistics:

  • All 21 counties in New Jersey have been affected by Lyme disease.
  • $892.6 billion is authorized for national defense programs in the FY26 NDAA.
  • $3 billion has been allocated for construction projects to improve the quality of life for service members and their families.
  • $20 billion in savings will be achieved through the DOGE-identified program.
  • $15 billion is being eliminated from poisonous DEI policies that harm military recruitment and retention.
  • $900 million will be invested to fight drug trafficking, including $398 million for DoD support of counter-narcotics operations and $116 million for National Guard counter-drug programs.

Sources:

  • Rep. Chris Smith's (R-NJ) news release, issued on Sept. 11, 2025.
  • The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), HR 3838.
  • Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons, author Kris Newby.