Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I certainly support it. As part of the fight against terrorism, we must dedicate the resources to the growing threat of…”

“I certainly support it. As part of the fight against terrorism, we must dedicate the resources to the growing threat of bioterrorism. This legislation enhances the capabilities of Federal, State, and local governments to coordinate emergency preparedness efforts, to stockpile vaccines and medical supplies, to modernize biosecurity facilities, and try to ensure the safety of America's health and food supply. I worked with my colleague, Senator Pat Roberts, to address the concerns about our food supply and vital agricultural economies. The agricultural bioterrorism provisions in this legislation will authorize the Department of Agriculture to strengthen its capacities to identify, prepare for, and respond to the bioterrorist threats to our farms, ranches, and food processing, packaging, and distribution facilities and systems. We have a clear priority to ensure the safety of our food and to maintain public confidence. To do so we must identify and quickly control the threat to our food supply, currently the world's safest, most abundant, and affordable.”