The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday endorsed
without opposition a bill designed to bolster federal efforts to counter
biological terrorism and other WMD threats (see GSN, June 24, 2011).
The "WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2011" would authorize appointment of a special assistant to the president for biodefense; require a U.S. policy for countering biological threats and a funding plan incorporating an evaluation of preparatory shortcomings and funding problems; mandate the development of a "national biosurveillance strategy" within the Homeland Security Department; make WMD vaccines and reaction advice available to emergency response personnel; and permit interception under the Securing the Cities initiative of a weapon incorporating radioactive material.
“This legislation implements many of the recommendations of the [Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism], which in 2008 delivered the dire warning that terrorists are likely to deploy a weapon of mass destruction somewhere in the world by the end of 2013," committee Chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.) said in a statement.
"Today’s committee passage of this vital legislation is an important step in further securing our homeland against such an attack here. I am pleased to have joined Representative Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), who has been an effective proponent in moving WMD legislation through Congress”.
http://www.nti.org/gsn/
The "WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2011" would authorize appointment of a special assistant to the president for biodefense; require a U.S. policy for countering biological threats and a funding plan incorporating an evaluation of preparatory shortcomings and funding problems; mandate the development of a "national biosurveillance strategy" within the Homeland Security Department; make WMD vaccines and reaction advice available to emergency response personnel; and permit interception under the Securing the Cities initiative of a weapon incorporating radioactive material.
“This legislation implements many of the recommendations of the [Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism], which in 2008 delivered the dire warning that terrorists are likely to deploy a weapon of mass destruction somewhere in the world by the end of 2013," committee Chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.) said in a statement.
"Today’s committee passage of this vital legislation is an important step in further securing our homeland against such an attack here. I am pleased to have joined Representative Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), who has been an effective proponent in moving WMD legislation through Congress”.
http://www.nti.org/gsn/
