Senate passes funding bill freeing money for Pueblo

By JOHN NORTON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved a supplemental appropriations act that includes language ordering the Defense Department to get back to work on weapons destruction programs in Pueblo and Kentucky.

By a 99-0 vote, the Senate approved the FY 2005 Supplemental Appropriations Act to provide spending for military programs. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, was not present.

Sens. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., added an amendment requiring the Department of Defense to spend $372.38 million that had been held back for destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles at the Pueblo Chemical Depot and the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky.

The amendment also demands that $100 million be spent or contracted for work over the next 120 days and it bans any further studies of alternatives. The Army had been conducting such a study that was to include shipping the weapons off site as an option.

On Tuesday, Undersecretary of Defense Michael Wynne ordered the money released and called off the study of alternatives.

Allard said that in spite of that move, the Senate's action remained necessary. "I believe it is prudent that these policies be enshrined in law. This is dotting the I's and crossing the T's to ensure DOD carries out Congress’ intentions.”