The Bush administration is supporting a $3.25 billion Senate bill that would enhance the nation's ability to detect and respond to biological and chemical weapons attacks, according to various administration and news sources.
The measure, entitled "The Bioterrorism Preparedness Act (S-1715)," is the product of lengthy negotiations with the White House, and CNN quoted administration and congressional sources as saying the President planned to endorse the legislation. However, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson offered only a qualified a endorsement of the bill, saying he would "absolutely" support the bill, but only if "we can work out the dollars." He suggested that spending might be spread over two years.