§3713 Authority for Urgent Threat Reduction Activities Under Department of Defense Cooperative Threat Reduction Program

Summary

No more than 15 percent of the Cooperative Threat Reduction money in any year can be used for urgent threat-fighting work. For areas with a functioning government, the Secretary of Defense can use that money only if the Secretary puts the decision in writing saying the threat from chemical, nuclear, or biological weapons is urgent, that some laws would slow the work, and that the funds are needed. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Energy must agree. At least seven days before the money is first committed, the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State must tell the congressional defense committees, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee what the written decision is, what will be done, how long it will take, and how much it will cost. If the area is ungoverned or lacks effective control (as the Secretary of State decides), the President can approve the funds instead. The President must put the urgency and need in writing. When the President first commits the money, the Secretary of Defense, with the Secretary of State, must notify the same congressional committees with the written decision, a description of the work, the expected schedule, and the expected cost. A "covered activity" means any Program action to stop the spread of chemical, nuclear, or biological weapons, materials, technology, or expertise.