House Backs $5.6 Billion Fund to Develop Bioterror Remedies
Nearly two years after a spate of anthrax-tainted letters killed five Americans and terrified millions more, the House voted overwhelmingly today to establish a $5.6 billion fund intended to encourage the development of drugs, vaccines and other defenses against biological, nuclear, radiological or chemical attack. The 421-to-2 vote establishes an initiative known as Project Bioshield, outlined by President Bush in January in his State of the Union address. The bill now moves to the Senate, where the idea has broad bipartisan support. A similar bill was unanimously approved in committee. “The wolves of terrorism are still on the lurk,” Representative Tom DeLay of Texas, the majority leader, said after the vote. “We must steel ourselves for battle whenever they threaten.” Full Story