Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010
Floor Speech
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 26, 2009)
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Chair, I come to the House of Representatives to encourage my colleagues to support and fund an urgent national security priority--the creation of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, also known as NBAF.
From a rancher feeding his cattle this morning in Washington, Kansas, to a family sitting down for supper tonight here in Washington, D.C., Americans need to know that the United States is prepared to handle an outbreak of dangerous animal disease that could harm our country's economy and our food supply.
Our nation's current animal disease research center, located at Plum Island, New York, is well over 50 years old and can no longer meet our needs. With today's threat of bioterror attack, as well as the threat of natural and accidental outbreaks of foreign animal diseases, it is clear that more research capacity is needed. NBAF is needed to concentrate our efforts to assess disease threats to livestock, wildlife and humans, and to develop the vaccines and countermeasures against these threats. A modern, safe animal disease research laboratory is critical for protecting our country.
After years of study and a rigorous selection process, in January, the Department of Homeland Security unanimously chose to build NBAF at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. DHS found Kansas StateUniversity to be the best fit for this critical mission. Kansas was chosen because of the State's existing biosecurity research infrastructure, skilled animal science workforce, strong citizen support, and large cost-share contribution. At the time, NBAF was expected to be completed by 2015.
Despite the fact that there has never been stronger need for accelerated animal disease research, I am incredibly disappointed that NBAF may now be delayed. The President requested $36 million in 2010 for NBAF design and construction. I have concerns that this investment is inadequate for moving forward with this security priority. But as the House today considers H.R. 2892, the FY 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, it appears that even the President's requested funding amount may not be provided. Citing safety concerns with researching foot and mouth disease, FMD, on the mainland, the spending bill provides no funding for NBAF. In addition, the bill requires yet another FMD risk analysis.
As a Member of Congress who represents a large agricultural district, I understand the importance of determining the risks associated with conducting FMD research, whether on an island or in the middle of the country. What we know is that studies by experts at DHS and elsewhere say that FMD can be safely studied on the mainland, as it is done in other countries like Canada, just across our northern border. Modern biocontainment technology has eliminated the need for locating this work on an island, like we did decades ago. The same state-of-the-art research methods and facilities allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to research dangerous human diseases in the city of Atlanta. While I understand the risk associated with the research of any dangerous disease, it should not blind us to the risk of inaction. The bottom line is that if we do not build NBAF and increase our capacity to combat diseases, our country will be less safe.
The research that will be performed at NBAF is critical to secure America's food supply and protect our agricultural industries from animal disease outbreaks. A modern facility that can respond to outbreaks is urgently needed and must remain a top priority for the U.S. As the appropriations process moves forward, I strongly encourage my colleagues in Congress to fund and support NBAF.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source