Congressman last week introduced SANE Act to cut $100 billion over next decade from outdated nuclear weapons programs
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) responded to media reports that the Obama administration and White House are considering steep cuts to America’s nuclear arsenal, including reducing the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons to below New START levels. Rep. Markey, senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and founder of the Nonproliferation Task Force, urged the Obama administration to reduce America’s costly and unnecessary nuclear weapons arsenal. Last week, Rep. Markey introduced legislation that would cut $100 billion over the next ten years from America’s nuclear weapons budget. The Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act of 2012 cuts specific nuclear weapons and related programs and makes our nuclear weapons forces the right size for the 21st century. Last fall, Rep. Markey sent a letter to the Congressional Super Committee along with 64 House members calling for cuts of hundreds of billions from America’s nuclear weapons programs.
 
“Military, national security and economic experts agree that America can reduce its nuclear arsenal without harming national security,” said Rep. Markey. “In these difficult economic times, it makes no sense to continue housing these Cold War-era radioactive relics while Americans struggle to afford housing for their families. The Obama administration is right to consider a 21st century approach to America’s nuclear arsenal. Reducing the number of deployed warheads and delivery systems and the billions of dollars they cost taxpayers would shift our approach away from outdated Cold War thinking and gold-plated defense spending that no longer reflect America’s 21st century security needs. Last week I introduced the SANE Act to cut $100 billion in spending on outdated, wasteful nuclear weapons and related programs over the next ten years, and I look forward to working with the Obama administration and my Congressional colleagues on this legislation.”
 
The Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures (SANE) Act of 2012 will:
 
    •    Cut the current fleet of nuclear submarines from 12 operational at sea to eight operational at sea ($3 billion savings)
    •    Delay the purchase of new nuclear submarines ($17 billion savings)
    •    Reduce the number of ICBMs ($6 billion savings)
    •    End the nuclear missions of air bombers (up to $17 billion savings)
    •    Delay new bomber program ($18 billion savings)
    •    Cancel new, wasteful nuclear weapons facilities ($15 billion savings)
          
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