House panel rejects Bush administration plans for new nuclear warhead

[ck4829]

Lawmakers in the House struck a blow Wednesday to the Bush administration's plans to develop a new, sturdier nuclear warhead, rejecting a proposed $89 million for design work the Energy Department wanted for next year.

A House Appropriations subcommittee refused to fund the new warhead project, saying it should not be pursued before development of a comprehensive strategy on future nuclear weapons needs.

The National Nuclear Security Administration in March selected the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California to develop a design and detailed cost estimates for the new warhead, which the administration says is needed to ensure future reliability of the nuclear stockpile without testing. The United States has not conducted an actual nuclear weapons test since 1992 because of nuclear proliferation concerns.

Administration officials argue that the new warhead — and variations to be developed later — will be easier to maintain and will be more secure and more reliable without testing than the warheads they will replace.

Opponents have argued that development of a new warhead sends the wrong signal to the world on nuclear nonproliferation.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/184479

[Lobster Martini]

1. Thank you, god. Owe you one.

If we're trying to get North Korea to stop developing nuclear weapons and trying to get Iran to stop enriching uranium, what a spectacularly inappropriate time to develop a new nuclear warhead.

[global1]

2. No Problemo - *Co Will Just Take The Money From Somewhere Else......

and fund this project anyway. They don't need no stinking approval. Your talking to the Commander Guy - the Decider - the Uniter not Divider.