Mike Levin: “Finally, I am pleased that the conference report includes a Senate provision authorizing the expansion of the…”

“Finally, I am pleased that the conference report includes a Senate provision authorizing the expansion of the Cooperative Threat Reduction program of the Department of Defense and the nonproliferation programs at the Department of Energy outside the Former Soviet Union. These programs have proven to be important tools in helping reduce proliferation risk from nuclear, chemical and biological materials of the Former Soviet Union. This conference agreement also provides the President with the authority he requested to continue destruction of chemical weapons in Russia, and fully funds the CTR programs. As we have all come to appreciate, however, the risk that nuclear, chemical and biological materials and knowledge will proliferate is not limited to Russia and the other States of the former Soviet Union. For the first time, using the authorities provided in this agreement, the President will be able to use CTR funds, and funds from the Department of Energy, DOE, Materials Protection and Control program, to meet emerging threats in other areas of the world.”