WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson on Wednesday asked lawmakers for $1.5 billion to fight bioterror, including money for the purchase of antibiotics to help combat anthrax exposures.
"The government at all levels is responding to bioterrorist threats and responding well," Thompson told the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on International Security, Proliferation and Federal Services.
Thompson traveled to Capitol Hill to request funding to strengthen the nation's public health system so it would be able to better respond to the series of incidents in which anthrax has been sent through the mail. Officials within the Bush administration have repeatedly referred to the incidents as a bioterror attack.
"Contemplating bioterrorism is unpleasant, but is imperative. Under the leadership of this committee, this Congress and President Bush, we are taking all the steps necessary to keep America safe in an era when biological and chemical attacks are as possible as they are unthinkable," Thompson said.
Midway through the hearing, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., recessed the proceedings so that Thompson could brief the Senate on unfolding events, the investigation, the response by health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
The administration was seeking $643 million to increase the nation's stockpile of antibiotics to treat 12 million people for 60 days, about five times more than current supply levels, as well as other pharmaceuticals.
U.S. Army Major Gen. Jon Parker said the strain of anthrax found in Daschle's office was "very sensitive" to all antibiotics including penicillin and ciprofloxacin, also known by its brand name Cipro.
The administration will also seek $509 million to speed the development and purchase of smallpox vaccine "by quite a large amount" to make certain "all Americans are covered," Thompson told CBS News early Wednesday morning.
Currently 15 million doses of smallpox vaccine are available.
The White House also seeks $34.6 million to expedite U.S. Food and Drug Administration work on bioterrorism vaccines, drug therapies, diagnostic tests and consultations with other public and private agencies.
And it would also ask for $175 million in funds for readiness among state and local governments, including increasing the capacity at the nation's hospitals and health facilities in the event of incidents leading to mass casualties.
The request is in addition to HHS' fiscal year 2002 budget proposal for $345 million for bioterrorism preparedness. The total request of $1.9 billion represents a six-fold increase above the $297 million Congress approved in fiscal year 2001 for anti-bioterror measures.
Thompson's call for more money came as the United States was in its second week of bombing Afghan targets in answer to the ruling Taliban's refusal to surrender Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden and members of his group, al Qaida.
Federal authorities have identified bin Laden as the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that killed up to 6,000 people.
Thompson stressed to the subcommittee that anthrax was not contagious and the U.S. Postal Service was being carefully monitored. He warned that if something appears suspicious, "use good judgment."
Sources on Capitol Hill said that some of the mail intended for lawmakers was being diverted to an off-site location in southeast Washington.
