Napolitano says bio, agro-defense facility needed
Feb 15, 2012, 6:11 PM
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) – Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says a national biological and agricultural defense laboratory in the U.S. remains necessary despite the Obama administration’s decision not to include construction funding in its budget request.
Napolitano says President Barack Obama’s budget request for the next fiscal year includes $8 million for research in Kansas, where the $1 billion National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility has been planned.
Napolitano tells members of Congress that project is not dead. But because Congress last year cut the White House recommendation for $150 million to only $50 million, the administration now is taking a step back to review the scope and cost of the project. She predicts the project will move forward.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)