Fearing strikes, US Congress votes to create market for biodefenses

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Spurred by persistent terrorism warnings, the US Congress gave final approval to legislation that is expected to boost worldwide research into vaccines and other antidotes against biological agents and other weapons of mass destruction.

By a vote of 414-2, the House of Representative signed off on Project BioShield that authorizes the US government to spend 5.6 billion dollars over the next 10 years to create a national stockpile of drugs and vaccines for use in case of a biological weapon attack on the United States.

The bill that was approved by the Senate in May now goes to the White House for President George W. Bush's signature, which he said will be forthcoming.

"This legislation will strengthen our ability to protect Americans...