Key Votes
S 495 - Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act - Key Vote
National Key Votes
Stages
Family
- S 495 - Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act
- HB 47 - State Inspections of Abortion Clinics
Issues
Stage Details
Legislation - Referred to Committee (House) - Oct. 21, 1998
Legislation - Bill Passed (Senate) (53-44) - April 17, 1997 (Key vote)
Title: Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that would establish criminal penalties for possession of chemical or biological weapons.
Highlights:
- Declares that it should be U.S. policy to take all appropriate measures to prevent and deter the threat or use of chemical or biological weapons.
- Suggests that it should be U.S. policy to discourage proliferation and prohibit development of chemical or biological weapons within the U.S.
- Requires that the death penalty or life sentence be imposed on anyone whose use of such weapons results in the death of another individual.
- Authorizes the President to suspend a person's right to export any goods or technology from the U.S. if the individual violates any chemical or biological weapons laws.
- Requires the President, after consulting with Congress, to impose at least 5 different sanctions for three years on any foreign government that uses chemical or biological weapons in violation of international law.
- Mandates that the President report annually to the Speaker and specified congressional committees regarding proliferation by foreign countries, as well as foreign persons and subnational groups assisting in proliferation.
- Expresses the sense of Congress that the armed forces should place more emphasis protecting deployed troops from chemical and biological weapons attacks.
- Prohibits the President from issuing orders that diminish the right of law enforcement officials to use riot control agents on a domestic level.
Legislation - Introduced (Senate) - March 20, 1997
Title: Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act
Sponsors
- Jon Kyl (AZ - R) (Out Of Office)
Co-sponsors
- Edmond Spencer Abraham (MI - ) (Out Of Office)
- Wayne A. Allard (CO - R) (Out Of Office)
- John D. Ashcroft (MO - ) (Out Of Office)
- Samuel D. 'Sam' Brownback (KS - R) (Out Of Office)
- Paul D. Coverdell (GA - R) (Out Of Office)
- Jesse Helms (NC - R) (Out Of Office)
- Y. Tim Hutchinson (AR - R) (Out Of Office)
- Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX - R) (Out Of Office)
- James M. 'Jim' Inhofe (OK - R)
- Chester Trent Lott Sr. (MS - R) (Out Of Office)
- Connie Mack (FL - R) (Out Of Office)
- Don Nickles (OK - ) (Out Of Office)
- Richard C. Shelby (AL - R)
- Robert Clinton 'Bob' Smith (NH - R) (Out Of Office)
