9-8-2009

Statement from Chairman Bob Graham and Vice Chairman Jim Talent

On the WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009

Last December, the Commission released the World at Risk, which included a series of recommendations to address the grave threat that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction poses to the United States. We unanimously concluded that unless the world community acts decisively and with great urgency, it is more likely than not that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack somewhere in the world by the end of 2013—and that a biological attack is more likely than nuclear. This conclusion was publicly affirmed by then-Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell.

Given the urgency of the threat, we enthusiastically welcome the WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009, which implements key recommendations relating to biological and nuclear terrorism, government reform, and citizen engagement.

This Act will enable the type of decisive actions required to defend America from these threats. Key benefits include:

• Enhanced biosecurity measures in US laboratories, designed to improve safety and security without impeding science
• Effective and timely distribution of medical countermeasures during emergencies, which can potentially blunt the impact of an attack and thwart the terrorists’ objectives, as well as generate positive outcomes for public health overall
• International measures that contribute to effective cooperation on the shared, global biological threat
• Reforms that enhance intelligence capabilities in areas related to WMD
• And especially citizen engagement, because a well-informed and mobilized citizenry has long been one of the United States’ greatest resources.

We commend Senator Lieberman and Senator Collins for introducing this bill. We look forward to participating in a robust discussion on Capitol Hill and with the Administration and stakeholders as the WMD Prevention and Preparedness Act of 2009 makes its way through the legislative process.

###

For more information about the Commission, visit www.preventwmd.gov

For more information about the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, visit http://hsgac.senate.gov

CONTACT:  Carmen MacDougall, 1-301-672-3784 OR Sara Rubin, 202-510-1721