Hearing on 2016 Budget for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
January 1, 2015
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The Frame
This hearing sets the oversight framework for the 2016 federal budget allocation toward programs responsible for detecting, neutralizing, and cleaning up chemical and biological weapons stockpiles.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Department of Defense
The agency must manage the budget and operational requirements for countering chemical and biological threats.
International Treaty Partners
The U.S. is obligated to destroy domestic chemical weapons stockpiles in accordance with international treaty agreements.
Last recorded activity January 1, 2015.
Next step not available in the current record.
Summary
Key Facts
- The hearing reviewed the fiscal year 2016 budget request for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Chemical Biological Defense Program (CBDP).
- The subcommittee noted the destruction of over 650 tons of chemical weapons and precursors from Syria and Libya.
- The Department of Defense (DOD) is currently involved in the cleanup and destruction of domestic chemical weapons stockpiles to meet treaty obligations.
- The DOD played a role in mitigating the Ebola outbreak in Africa.
- The Director of National Intelligence reported that biological and chemical materials are increasingly accessible due to the globalized economy and dual-use technologies.
- The hearing took place on March 25, 2015, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency?
Why is the government concerned about 'dual-use' technologies?
Why It Matters
This hearing sets the oversight framework for the 2016 federal budget allocation toward programs responsible for detecting, neutralizing, and cleaning up chemical and biological weapons stockpiles.
News Coverage
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Defense Scope
The hearing highlights that the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's mission has expanded beyond traditional weapons destruction to include public health crises like the Ebola outbreak.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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