Haley Stevens: “The 2004 budget request included no funding for the establishment of additional weapons of mass destruction civil…”

“The 2004 budget request included no funding for the establishment of additional weapons of mass destruction civil support teams. There are currently 32 teams that are certified and operational. The plan is to field a total of 55 teams to ensure there is at least 1 team established in each State and territory. The Senate Armed Services Committee included additional manpower and funding to establish 12 additional teams in fiscal year 2004. We included additional National Guard manpower for these teams, but we did not provide operation and maintenance or procurement funding. This amendment would earmark $39.3 million in operation and maintenance funds, $25.9 million in procurement, and $1 million in research and development funds. I present the amendment as one that is offset and merely allocates funds to these teams as required by the Senate-passed authorization bill.”