Senator has introduced legislation that would save $100 billion over ten years through nuclear spending reductions

Washington (June 5, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called on the Trump administration to curtail costly plans to upgrade America’s nuclear weapons arsenal, in light of a new report from the Congressional Budget Office that the 30-year cost of modernizing all three legs of the nuclear triad has grown to $1.2 trillion. Senator Markey has introduced the Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act, which would save $100 billion over ten years through measured cuts to nuclear modernization programs, including cancellation of a new nuclear-tipped air-launched cruise missile and a new generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“There is nothing fiscally responsible about President Trump calling for an expansion of America’s nuclear capability when experts report that existing plans to upgrade our nuclear arsenal will cost $1.2 trillion,” said Senator Markey. “Plans to modernize all three legs of the nuclear triad are excessive, redundant, and dangerous. Instead of wasting taxpayer money on new nuclear weapons that could trigger a global nuclear arms race, the United States should exercise international leadership by cutting unnecessary and destabilizing weapons systems. For the sake of U.S. national security in the 21^st century, we should fund education, not annihilation.”

In March, Senator Markey introduced legislation that would limit funding for a new nuclear-armed air-launched missile, also called the Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO).