REP. TURNER PUSHES APPROPRIATORS ON NNSA FUNDING

The National Nuclear Security Administration’s biggest backer is continuing to push for full funding for the agency’s weapons program. In the wake of a hearing with senior Administration officials last week, Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio), the chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, yesterday released a Nov. 4 letter to leaders on the House and Senate Appropriations Committee renewing his call to fully fund the Administration’s modernization plan for the agency. Senate appropriators provided $7.2 billion of the Administration’s $7.6 billion request for the agency’s weapons program; the House provided $7.1 billion. Last week’s hearing included Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Jim Miller, StratCom chief Gen. Robert Kehler, NNSA Administrator Tom D’Agostino, and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Ellen Tauscher. “Our witnesses were deeply concerned about these cuts, and reinforced the administration’s position that full funding for NNSA’s defense activities is critical, even with the tremendous fiscal pressures facing the nation,” Turner wrote. Turner and other GOP members of his committee have already urged appropriators to restore the funding, and he has debated lawmakers looking to cut from the nation’s nuclear deterrent, penning a letter to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction in favor of preserving funding for nuclear weapons.