WASHINGTON – Wisconsin will receive $19 million in federal funds under a new plan designed to increase states’ ability to deal with potential bioterror attacks, according to U.S. Reps. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) and Mark Green (R-Green Bay).

“It’s unfortunate, but the threats in today’s world are painfully real and we’re more aware of them than ever,” Green said.  “We worked very hard this fall to secure the money in the federal budget that we knew states and local governments would need to beef up their ability to deal with the horrifying possibility of biological terrorism.  Today that work is paying off, and it looks like Wisconsin will be a big beneficiary of those dollars.  No one likes to think about the prospect of a biological attack right at home in Wisconsin, but it’s a potential reality we must face up to and deal with effectively.  This funding is a good start.”

"This is great news for Wisconsin," Ryan said, "because it will help us improve our capacity to deal with public health emergencies. Careful planning and thorough preparation are vital to a strong homeland defense - especially when it comes to the threat of bioterrorism.  This federal funding will give our state and local communities necessary help to make us all safer by strengthening our public health system to better deal with any potential bioterror attack."

The funds, which were approved last year by Congress and signed into law by the president, will be disbursed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The money will come in an immediate payment of approximately $3.8 million, followed by a second payment of $15.2 million after the state has developed a comprehensive bioterrorism preparedness plan.