House Passes Blumenauer Amendment to Increase Transparency in Nuclear Weapons Spending

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment offered by Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) to H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, that will highlight the true cost of wasteful U.S. nuclear weapons programs. This amendment will increase transparency in nuclear weapons spending by requiring the Department of Defense to report to Congress the total cost of research, production, and maintenance of the B-21 bomber program.

While the B-21--a nuclear-capable aircraft--is currently under development to replace Air Force B-52 bombers and B-1 bombers, Congress has not been given adequate information on the full costs of these new warplanes. Representative Blumenauer's amendment will provide the information Congress needs to make fiscally responsible decisions in nuclear weapons planning.

"The United States is set to spend too much on nuclear weapons we don't need, can't afford, and shouldn't use. These are resources that will come at the expense of conventional weapons and forces that are necessary now and for the future," said Representative Blumenauer. "I have serious concerns about the overall approach of this NDAA, however, I'm glad that the House took an important step toward smarter spending by passing my amendment to give American taxpayers what they deserve--transparency about the costs of these programs."

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