Reps. Panetta, Visclosky, Fortenberry, Fleischmann, Banks Incorporate Bipartisan Amendment in FY19 NDAA to Combat Dirty Bombs

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Pete Visclosky (D-IN), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), and Jim Banks (R-IN) successfully included an amendment in the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), to speed the elimination of cesium chloride, which can be used to make "dirty bombs," or radiological dispersal devices. This amendment reduces the risk of a catastrophic radiological attack while upgrading medical technology used across the country.

"Cesium chloride, one of the most dangerous and accessible radiological materials capable of making a dirty bomb, is currently found in medical facilities across the United States. Our amendment directs the National Nuclear Security Administration to use existing voluntary programs to incentivize the replacement of cesium chloride blood irradiation devices by 2027. This amendment was the product of a bipartisan process involving members of the House Nuclear Security Working Group, a caucus dedicated to addressing critical nuclear and radiological security issues, that allowed us to engage across the aisle and find common ground to reduce the risk of a radiological attack and strengthen our national security. As members of the Congressional Nuclear Security Working Group, we will continue to work to ensure this provision's successful enactment into law and implementation nation-wide."

The text of the amendment can be found here.