House Armed Services Committee
DEMOCRATS Ike Skelton, Ranking Member
For immediate release: May 3, 2006 http://www.house.gov/hasc_democrats
Contact:
Loren Dealy (HASC) 202-226-6339
Kira Maas (Reyes) 202-225-4831
Strategic Forces Subcommittee Portion of the
NDAA FY07 Mark-Up Summary
Ranking member, Silvestre Reyes’ (TX), opening statement is attached.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today the House Armed Services Committee addressed the portions of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2007, Tactical Air and Land Forces.
Plutonium Disposition
Cuts $115.3 million from construction of a plutonium disposition facility in Savannah River, SC. $174.2 million remains. The bill also requests certification from the Secretary of Energy that the Savannah facility is the most efficient means for managing and disposing of U.S. weapons-grade plutonium.
Fences over $200 million from Russian nonproliferation funds until Russia reaches an agreement with the U.S. on an acceptable means of upholding the 2000 US-Russian Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement.
Adds $50 million for environmental management programs, including $20 million for research and development on tank waste cleanup technologies and $30 million to fund regulatory and clean-up activities in South Carolina.
Representative John Spratt (SC) said, “Our language allows for the Department of Energy to negotiate with the Russians, but ensures that South Carolina will have a way to deal with the plutonium stored at Savannah River, whether the Russians move forward on MOX or not. This is important for South Carolina’s environment, important for national security and non-proliferation, and important for all the workers who will build and operate the MOX plant.
Spratt concluded, “This language is a step in the right direction. It helps guarantee that South Carolina won’t be left holding the bag for our country’s plutonium indefinitely into the future.”
Ballistic Missile Defense
Cuts $43.5 million from the Administration’s $10.4 billion funding request for ballistic missile defense (BMD). Within the BMD accounts, funding is shifted from long-range programs to near term needs, such as buying upgrades for the Patriot missile that can protect our servicemembers and our allies today.
“I am pleased with the committee’s decision to redirect missile defense funding from longer range programs – such as the multiple kill vehicle – to near term needs, such as buying upgrades for the Patriot missile that can protect our forces and our allies today,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Silvestre Reyes (TX). “These immediate needs are crucial for the success and wellbeing of our men and women in uniform.”
Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Cuts $183.5 million from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). $9.1 billion remains.
Representative Ellen Tauscher (CA) commented, “The proposed $183 million cut to the missile defense program is a much needed, yet modest step in re-directing our resources towards a better tested, more practical, and more efficient method of missile defense. I support a limited missile defense program, but only when rationally funded in concert with a well thought-out defense strategy that rests on trained and ready conventional armed forces as well as diplomatic efforts.”
Patriot Missiles
Adds $140 million for Army BMD to begin upgrading older Patriot missile battalions to the most recent PAC-3 configuration.
“This bill includes funding to upgrade PAC-2 missiles to a PAC-3 configuration, a weapon system that is crucial for supporting our servicemembers overseas,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member, Silvestre Reyes (TX). “These upgrades will ensure that they have the advanced equipment they need to successfully complete their mission.”
Multiple Kill Vehicles (MKV) and Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI)
Cuts $65 million for the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) program. $100 million remains. Cuts $100 million for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program and directs MDA to focus the KEI program on the 2008 booster technology demonstration project. Approximately $305 million remains.
Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA) commented, "I'm pleased that the funding for the Multiple Kill Vehicle and Kinetic Energy interceptor programs has been reduced. Congress and the American people need to have a full and open debate on the subject of space weapons, and programs such as these put technology far ahead of policy."
Advanced Optics and Laser Technology Project
Expresses concern about the potential anti-satellite and advanced weapons capabilities of technology being developed by the Advanced Optics and Laser Technology project. The committee directs that none of the funds authorized for this program shall be used for development of laser space technologies with anti-satellite weapons purposes.
"This issue of space weaponization is a serious one, so I am pleased an agreement was reached on the Advanced Optics and Laser Technology project to ensure that this research will be tailored to space situational awareness, rather than anti-satellite weapons,” Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA) said.
Global Strike
Cuts $47 million in R&D funding for the development of an advanced strike capability using Trident missiles in a conventional capacity based on concerns that the development of a conventional capability on a traditionally nuclear platform has the potential to lead to the misinterpretation of the launch of a nuclear missile. $30 million remains, and the bill withholds $10 million of that amount until after the Department submits a report on the status of discussions with other nations on this issue.
“I am always pleased when portions of the mark-up convey and advocate for greater levels of cooperation and deterrence in terms of nuclear proliferation,” said Representative Ellen Tauscher (CA). “The committee’s decision to not allow the conversion of Trident missiles to conventional weapons shows a desire on the part of the committee to concentrate on not only deterring a nuclear response, but to work on the conventional aspect of our defense policy.”
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