Senate panel OKs ending ban on nuke research

The Senate Armed Services Committee markup of the 2004 defense authorization bill would lift a 10-year ban on research and development of low-yield nuclear weapons, extend research for nuclear "bunker-busting" bombs, and shorten the timetable for the Energy Department to get ready for new nuclear tests.

While Armed Services Chairman John Warner, R-Va., said the provisions do not mean the Pentagon is on the verge of nuclear tests, the language and similar provisions included in a House Armed Services markup demonstrates renewed interest in the weapons by the White House and Congress even as President Bush is taking a strong stand against the development of weapons of mass destruction in other countries.

The Strategic Forces Subcommittee "supported efforts to strengthen the nation's nuclear weapons research, development and test readiness capabilities, and program management," Warner and ranking member Carl Levin, D-Mich., said in a press release announcing the results of this week's closed committee and subcommittee markups of the $400.5 billion defense authorization for fiscal 2004.

Overall, the Senate panel authorized $75.6 billion for procurement, $1.1 billion more than the president requested, and $63.2 billion for research and development, a $1.3 billion increase over Bush's proposal. The development money includes $4.4 billion for the Joint Strike Fighter program, an increase of $56 million over fiscal 2003. The committee cut two F/A-22 Raptor aircraft from the 22 sought by the Pentagon and did not include any research funding for Northrop Grumman Corp.'s proposed "next generation" B-2 stealth bomber.

The F/A-22 program has been troubled by delays and cost overruns. Construction funds were set aside for seven new ships, including $1.51 billion for a Virginia-class attack submarine and nearly $1.2 billion for advance procurement of a CVN-21 aircraft carrier. The markup also includes money for a 3.7 percent across-the-board raise for all uniformed personnel, with larger increases of 5.25 to 6.25 percent for mid-career members; authorizes $9.1 billion for the ballistic missile defense program; and adds $88.4 million to fund 12 additional National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams.

The nuclear weapons changes, while representing a relatively small piece of the budget pie, are also expected to be a lightning rod for criticism. One member of the committee, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., already has spoken out against the provisions, which include requiring the Energy Department to be ready to resume nuclear tests within 18 months of a president's order. Some interest groups also are lining up in opposition, saying the "robust nuclear earth penetrator" would create more fallout than a conventional nuclear explosion just above a target and questioning why low-yield nuclear weapons might be developed for use against chemical or biological targets when conventional, non-nuclear weapons with the same function already exist.

Some opponents also worry that committee approval of Bush's requests could lead other countries to resume testing. "This represents a do-as-I say-not-as-I-do attitude about nuclear weapons," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association. "This is definitely a step in the wrong direction. It could be a move emulated by other states, Russia in particular."