ADMIN. OPPOSES LEP-RELATED PROVISION IN SENATE DEFENSE AUTH. ACT

As the Senate moved to take up its version of the Fiscal Year 2014 Defense Authorization Act, the Obama Administration voiced opposition to several provisions in the bill, including language that would require the Pentagon and National Nuclear Security Administration to develop cost estimates for four separate life extension program options as part of a study on the W78/W88 interoperable warhead. Language in the bill required separate studies on standalone refurbishments of the W78, W88, W87 and W78/W88 due to concerns about the potential cost of the interoperable warhead, which could be used on Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles. “The current study scope will inform a cost/risk/benefit decision on a warhead with an interoperable nuclear explosive package that can be used on multiple platforms,” the Administration said in a Statement of Administration Policy. “Including efforts to determine feasibility and costs for full scope LEPs on the W78, W88, and W87, and W78/88-1 would significantly delay completion and increase costs of the feasibility study.” The Senate formally voted to take up the bill yesterday, and hundreds of amendments to the bill are expected, though Senate leaders remained at odds yesterday over the amount of amendments that will be allowed to be offered.