A U.S. Senate committee on Tuesday tacked on $5 million to what stands to be the largest-ever appropriation for the preparation of chemical weapons disposal facilities at two U.S. storage sites, Kentucky's Richmond Register reported (see GSN, July 8).
Should Congress approve the proposed funding plan, the Defense Department agency assigned to destroy chemical stockpiles at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky and the Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado would receive $552.8 million in the budget year that begins Oct. 1.
Tuesday's addition was earmarked for the Kentucky project at the behest of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). A panel included the funds in the military construction and veterans affairs bill, which must now be approved by the full Senate and reconciled with the House version of the legislation.
"For years, the people of Madison County have lived near stockpiles of dangerous chemical weapons, and these weapons are a major threat to the community" McConnell said in a press release. "The additional funds support the higher budget level [Defense] Secretary [Robert] Gates recognized was critically important at my urging earlier this year."
Craig Williams, head of the Kentucky-based Chemical Weapons Working Group, said the move sends a positive message on the importance of chemical disarmament.
"This latest increase is further proof that the Congress understands the need to provide adequate funding for this project," Williams said in a release. "It is particularly encouraging in these tight financial times to see this program getting the attention and dollars it deserves" (Ronica Shannon, Richmond Register, July 9).