DeLay: BioShield Critical to War on Terror; House Passes Comprehensive Measures to Combat Bioterrorism

7/16/2003

From: Stuart Roy or Jonathan Grella, 202-225-4000; both of the Office of Tom DeLay

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today said Project BioShield is critical to protect America from future terror attacks and is further evidence that there is no difference between national security and homeland security.

Project BioShield is a comprehensive program to research, develop and acquire vaccines, drugs and countermeasures to protect Americans from terrorism.

"Despite our success in Afghanistan and Iraq, despite our many allies around the world and despite our unquestionable leadership here at home the wolves of terrorism are still on the lurk," DeLay said. "We must steel ourselves for battle whenever they threaten.

"While this war presents many foes on many fronts, we fight it for the sole purpose of protecting the American people," DeLay said.

Project BioShield will streamline government-sponsored research of biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons and medicines to combat their effects. It will also authorize a special reserve fund to purchase enough of those countermeasures to respond to catastrophic terrorist attacks.