Political Quotes

“I rise to engage the esteemed chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Daniel Inouye; Senator Tom Harkin, chairman of the Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Subcommittee; my Pennsylvania colleague, Senator Arlen Specter; and my Kansas colleague, Senator Sam Brownback in a colloquy regarding funding for creating capabilities to develop and manufacture biodefense medical countermeasures. As the chairmen and Senator Specter are aware, our country faces the rising threat of a bioterrorist attack against the U.S. homeland. Indeed, most experts agree that a bioweapons attack could be launched against the United States within the next few years. Such an event could inflict civilian casualties on a scale that would threaten the viability of a city's or region's key institutions and impose a widespread sense of vulnerability across the country and internationally. Moreover, President Obama has stated on numerous occasions that the bioterrorist threat is real and increasing. And, I believe, he will make responding to such a threat a key element of his national security strategy.”