138th Year... and still on the job!	Tuesday February 13, 2007

Chem Depot funds restored

A U.S. Senate vote Wednesday has restored $42 million in construction money vital to this year's work at the Pueblo Chemical Depot.

In January, the House of Representatives agreed to a continuing resolution authorizing the funds, and the Senate had to vote by today to restore the money.

Officials of the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, which oversees work to destroy weapons here and at Kentucky's Blue Grass Army Depot, were concerned when Congress adjourned last December without the House reversing its earlier decision to cut the funding.

Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., said Wednesday, "This is one more battle won in the long-standing effort to ensure that the necessary work to destroy the dangerous chemical weapons continues at Pueblo Depot.

"I am very pleased that the U.S. Senate has approved Senator (Mitch) McConnell and my efforts to successfully push back the House's decision to zero out critical funding for this project. We must keep our momentum. Today's vote maintains that positive direction."