Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) Floor Statement
“Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act of 2012”
Wednesday, February 8, 2012

“Mr. Speaker, America’s nuclear weapons budget is locked in a Cold War time machine.

“It doesn’t reflect our 21st century security needs.  It makes no sense.  It’s insane.

•    It’s insane to spend $10 billion building new plants to make uranium and plutonium for new nuclear bombs when we’re cutting our nuclear arsenal and the plants we have now work just fine.  

•    It’s insane that we’re going to spend $84 billion for up to 14 new nuclear submarines when just one sub can with 96 nuclear bombs on board can blow up every major city in Iran, China and North Korea.

“It’s an insane strategy, but it’s our current plan.  

“That’s why we need a sane approach to our nuclear weapons budget.  

“Today I am introducing the SANE Act – the Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act – with 34 of my colleagues.  

“The SANE Act cuts $100 billion in spending on outdated, wasteful nuclear weapons and related programs over the next ten years.  Let’s cut new nuclear weapons and not programs for the poor, the elderly, the sick and the children of our country.

“I urge my Colleagues to cosponsor the SANE Act.”

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