In June, ArmsControlWonk.com reported that Representative David Hobson (R-OH), chairman of the House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee, had eliminated almost $100 million worth of nuclear weapons related spending in the FY 2005 Appropriations Bill including:
* $27.6 million for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator,
* $ 9.0 million for research into low-yield nuclear warheads,
* $29.8 million for the Modern Pit Facility, and
* $30.0 million for enhanced nuclear test site readiness.
The cuts survived the Appropriations Conference; no funds will be available in FY 05 for any of these programs. Rep. Hobson told reporters that the President “should read this as a clear signal from Congress” that any attempt to revive the funding in the FY 06 budget “would get the same reaction.”
The Washington Post reports that NNSA was suprised. I can’t imagine why. Hobson made it clear during the CISAC meeting this summer that the cuts would prevail in conference.
Anyway, a little good news.