Breaking News
Posted on Tues, Sep 18, 2007
Senate accepts McConnell measure on chemical weapons destruction
HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate has adopted an amendment from Sen. Mitch McConnell that sets a deadline of Dec. 31, 2017, to complete destruction of the chemical weapons at Blue Grass Army Depot, McConnell's office announced Tuesday.
The Defense Department has indicated that under the current funding profile, chemical destruction will not be completed until 2023.
The amendment to the fiscal '08 defense authorization bill is expected to be on the Senate floor for several days. If passed, the bill will go to a House-Senate conference for consideration.
The Army plans to build a $2 billion plant to chemically neutralize the 523 tons of nerve and blister agents stored at the depot in Madison County.