U.S. Representative Mike Turner, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over our nation’s nuclear arsenal and missile defense systems, issued the following statement regarding the National Nuclear Security Association’s (NNSA) Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan:
“I welcome the release of NNSA’s Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan. The report to Congress appears to provide a comprehensive approach to sustaining and modernizing our nuclear deterrent.”
“While debate continues on changes to our nuclear policy and cuts in our nuclear forces, there should be no debate on the need for our nation to take appropriate measures to ensure that our nuclear deterrent remains credible and reliable.”
“This plan provides greater detail on the efforts and funding necessary to do just that—to increase the long-term safety, security, and reliability of the nuclear weapons stockpile; to modernize the supporting infrastructure; and to sustain critical scientific and engineering talent.”
“Last year, the House Armed Services Committee directed the establishment of the Stockpile Management Program to provide for the effective management of the U.S nuclear weapons stockpile. I am pleased the Administration has accepted this program. However, NNSA must have technical flexibility to pursue a wide-range of options for managing the stockpile, and not be hamstrung by artificial limitations, as stated in the recently issued bipartisan committee report on the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill.”
“I look forward to working with Administration officials, NNSA leadership, experts at the national laboratories and production plants, and my colleagues in Congress to enable the successful implementation of this plan.”