HASC GOP REJECTS AMENDMENT TO PLUS UP DISMANTLEMENT FUNDING

By ExchangeMonitor

Republicans turned away an amendment to the House Armed Services Committee version of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act that would’ve authorized an increase in nuclear weapons dismantlement work. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), would’ve boosted authorize funding for NNSA dismantlement work by $20 million, but it was opposed by Republicans on the committee and failed by a 34-24 vote. “We’ve been systematically over the years taking money out of this account,” Sanchez said, noting that the weapons awaiting dismantlement grow more “dangerous the longer we let them sit there and do nothing.” However, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) said the Administration’s $30 million request for dismantlement work—down from $54.3 million in FY 2014—represented necessary prioritization of life extension work over taking weapons apart. “I think the Administration’s request on dismantlement makes sense,” he said. “Rearranging those priorities inevitably takes away from the active stockpile. That’s what ought to be first.”

Republicans also opposed efforts by Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) to insert language into the bill calling for studies on the necessity of the nuclear triad and the possibility of providing extended deterrence in Europe from the continental United States, but Garamendi succeeded in getting language approved requiring a briefing on the justification for the air-launched nuclear cruise missile. Republicans also opposed an amendment by Sanchez that would’ve fenced off funding for the B61 life extension program until the Administration pursues a cost-share agreement with NATO allies on the warhead refurbishment. Separate attempts by Reps. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) to strip from the bill a $120 million increase for construction of the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility also failed in the face of Republican opposition.

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