Defense Bill Passes Senate -
Includes $215.9 Million in 2007 for ACWA Sites (CO & KY)
CHEMICAL
WEAPONS WORKING GROUP
128 Main
St. Berea KY 40403
859-986-9868
859-986-2695 (F)
www.cwwg.org kefcwwg@cwwg.org
for
more information contact:
Craig Williams (859) 986-7565
for immediate release: Friday 8 September 2006
The first of two appropriations bills that will fund next year's chemical weapons disposal programs in Colorado and Kentucky passed through the Senate last night. It includes $215.9 million for fiscal year 2007 for chemical weapons disposal projects in Colorado and Kentucky, under the Pentagon's ACWA (Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives) Program. The bill now moves to the Joint Conference Committee process, where the House and Senate reconcile any differences in their spending bills. There are no differences between the House and Senate versions of this bill for spending on the ACWA Program.
"With the House in concurrence, this is money we can count on to continue with the efforts here in Kentucky and in Colorado," said CWWG Director Craig Williams.
A separate military construction bill awaits Senate action, and contains an additional $140.9 million for the ACWA projects. This figure includes $10 million above the budget request submitted to Congress by the Pentagon, via an amendment inserted in the bill by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to accelerate the construction of the disposal facilities at both sites. The House version does not contain the additional $10 million, and in fact proposes a $40 million cut.
If the military construction bill passes the Senate, and the House agrees, the total for ACWA in FY '07 will be $356.9 Million, which includes program management costs of about $43 million.
"Last night's action is a critical step towards moving forward with the projects at both locations," said Williams. "However, we still have the construction bill to deal with and the differences between the House and Senate versions are significant."
In a May press release the CWWG revealed that the proposed House cut would set back disposal efforts at both sites by at least a year and cost over $200 million in the long run.
"Obviously we support the Senate version and appreciate Sen. McConnell's leadership on behalf of both sites. The collective effort between himself and the rest of the Kentucky and Colorado Congressional delegations will have a direct impact on when these weapons are destroyed," he added.
Craig Williams (859) 986-7565
for immediate release: Friday 8 September 2006
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL PASSES SENATE -
INCLUDES $215.9 MILLION IN 2007 FOR ACWA DISPOSAL SITES (CO AND KY)
A Separate Military Construction Bill,
Still Awaits Senate Passage - Would Bring ACWA's total for FY '07 to
$356.9 Million Including Sen. McConnell's $10 Million Increase Over
Pentagon Requested Amount
The first of two appropriations bills that will fund next year's chemical weapons disposal programs in Colorado and Kentucky passed through the Senate last night. It includes $215.9 million for fiscal year 2007 for chemical weapons disposal projects in Colorado and Kentucky, under the Pentagon's ACWA (Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives) Program. The bill now moves to the Joint Conference Committee process, where the House and Senate reconcile any differences in their spending bills. There are no differences between the House and Senate versions of this bill for spending on the ACWA Program.
"With the House in concurrence, this is money we can count on to continue with the efforts here in Kentucky and in Colorado," said CWWG Director Craig Williams.
A separate military construction bill awaits Senate action, and contains an additional $140.9 million for the ACWA projects. This figure includes $10 million above the budget request submitted to Congress by the Pentagon, via an amendment inserted in the bill by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to accelerate the construction of the disposal facilities at both sites. The House version does not contain the additional $10 million, and in fact proposes a $40 million cut.
If the military construction bill passes the Senate, and the House agrees, the total for ACWA in FY '07 will be $356.9 Million, which includes program management costs of about $43 million.
"Last night's action is a critical step towards moving forward with the projects at both locations," said Williams. "However, we still have the construction bill to deal with and the differences between the House and Senate versions are significant."
In a May press release the CWWG revealed that the proposed House cut would set back disposal efforts at both sites by at least a year and cost over $200 million in the long run.
"Obviously we support the Senate version and appreciate Sen. McConnell's leadership on behalf of both sites. The collective effort between himself and the rest of the Kentucky and Colorado Congressional delegations will have a direct impact on when these weapons are destroyed," he added.
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