Kansas delegation applauds $300 million in new federal budget for biolab

Obama Budget Biodefense Lab — FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2010, file photo, a sign marks the future home of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan, Kan. The budget proposal President Barack Obama sent to Congress on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, includes $714 million to build the new federal biosecurity lab, the largest proposed federal expenditure for the project to date. The lab will replace a facility at Plum Island, N.Y. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File) AP

President Barack Obama’s new budget recommends spending an additional $300 million on the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kan.

Congressional approval of the request would complete federal financing for the facility, where scientists will study diseases and pathogens that pose a threat to livestock and public health.

The overall cost to taxpayers will exceed $1 billion. Initial construction is underway.

In a combined statement, the Kansas congressional delegation — all Republicans — applauded the White House’s recommendation.

“We will continue to work to make certain NBAF remains a top priority,” the statement said.

This story was originally published March 4, 2014 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Kansas delegation applauds $300 million in new federal budget for biolab."

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