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Berkley introduces bioterrorism bill

Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 | 10:58 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., today unveiled legislation aimed at reducing the risks of biological terrorist threats.

The Bioterrorism Protection Act aims to better secure U.S. borders, protect food and water supplies, bolster U.S. intelligence and give local agencies more resources to prepare for and fight bioterrorist threats.

The bill was crafted by Berkley and other members of a newly formed House Democratic panel called the Task Force on Homeland Security.

The bill calls for more border agents and technological approaches to "screen out" terrorists.

"We must make sure our local communities have the resources they need," Berkley said.

Berkley, along with the rest of the Nevada delegation, supported a bill signed by President Bush today that increases police powers in surveillance and tracking terrorists.

Nevada experienced responding to a biological threat. An anthrax scare in Reno on Oct. 12 that proved to be a false alarm tested local response.

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