Funding Cuts Are Essential to Nonproliferation

This year Congress will decide whether to reinforce or reverse its decision to eliminate funds for new nuclear weapons programs. Last November, Congress cut all funds for these provocative nuclear weapons and most of the funds for renovating the Nevada nuclear test site. While FCNL and arms control advocates were encouraged by this victory, nuclear weapons proponents in Washington are already planning how the funds for weapons research could be reinstated.

There are various points at which such funding could be restored. President Bush is expected to submit a supplemental appropriations request in February to cover the unbudgeted costs of the Iraq and Afghan wars. This bill will probably be considered by Congress in March. While it is unlikely that the administration would request nuclear weapons funding in that bill, nuclear "hawks" in Congress may attempt to add funds to the bill.

FCNL plans to do grassroots and lobbying work to try to avert such a turnaround. The victory achieved in November presents both an opportunity and an obligation, for while it is a step in the right direction, we still need to protect and expand on this success.

Even if funds are not reinstated in the supplemental appropriations bill, there may be an effort to reinstate funds for fiscal year 2006 through the regular appropriations cycle.

While funding for nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons testing is normally considered by the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittees, there may be an effort this year to include these funds in the Defense Department's budget. This would bypass Reps. David Hobson (OH) and Pete Visclosky (IN), the chairman and ranking Democrat of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, both of whom strongly oppose new nuclear weapons funding.

Since it may be only a matter of days between the introduction of a measure to fund nuclear weapons and a vote, success in opposing such efforts will depend on lobbying by constituents and organizations well before Congress acts. Emails, faxes, phone calls, and visits to members of Congress, especially to those on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, will be key to preserving this important victory.