Visiting the University of Pittsburgh, President George W. Bush speaks as Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge listens to the President outline his plans to improve America's defense against future terrorist attacks Feb. 5. "We must do everything in our power, everything to protect our fellow Americans. We need better testing, better vaccines, and better drugs if America is going to be as safe as it can possibly be," said the President. White House photo by Tina Hager. President Increases Funding for Bioterrorism by 319 Percent Gov Ridge Addresses U.S. Conference of Mayors President Commends Tauzin, Dingell for Bioterrorism Bill Joint Statement on U.S.-Russian Cooperation Against Bioterrorism Fact Sheet on Cooperation Against Bioterrorism U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Defending Against Biological Terrorism

Disease has long been the deadliest enemy of mankind. Infectious diseases make no distinctions among people and recognize no borders. We have fought the causes and consequences of disease throughout history and must continue to do so with every available means. All civilized nations reject as intolerable the use of disease and biological weapons as instruments of war and terror.

President George W. Bush November 1, 2001

One of the most important missions we have as a Nation is to be prepared for the threat of biological terrorism - the deliberate use of disease as a weapon. An effective biodefense will require a long-term strategy and significant new investment in the U.S. health care system.

The President is taking steps now that will significantly improve the Nation's ability to protect its citizens against the threat of bioterrorism. The President's Budget for 2003 proposes $5.9 billion to defending against biological terrorism, an increase of $4.5 billion - or 319 percent - from the 2002 level. This new funding will focus on:

1.   Infrastructure.  Strengthen the State and local health systems, including by enhancing medical communications and disease surveillance capabilities, to maximize their contribution to the overall biodefense of the Nation.

2.   Response.  Improve specialized Federal capabilities to respond in coordination with State and local governments, and private capabilities in the event of a bioterrorist incident and build up the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile.

3.   Science.  Meet the medical needs of our bioterrorism response plans by developing specific new vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tests through an aggressive research and development program.

Responsibility for detecting and managing a bioterrorist attack needs to be shared among a wide range of Federal, State, local, and private entities. The resources made available in the President's Budget for 2003 will help the Nation develop an effective "early warning" system against a possible bioterrorist attack, and mount an effective operational response to manage its medical consequences. These enhanced capabilities, once in place, will also enhance the Nation's ability to respond to outbreaks of naturally occurring diseases.

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