Pete Domenici: “for more than six decades, the bedrock of American national security has been a strong, reliable, and cutting- edge…”

“for more than six decades, the bedrock of American national security has been a strong, reliable, and cutting- edge nuclear deterrent. Literally thousands of the best scientists and engineers in the world have dedicated themselves to ending World War II, winning the Cold War, and protecting the free world. Each year, the Directors of the three national nuclear weapons laboratories must certify to the President, and through him to the rest of the United States, that our nuclear weapons systems are reliable. That certification process assures Americans, and warns our adversaries, that the Nation's nuclear stockpile will be able to continue to perform its basic mission--prevention of a nuclear weapons exchange. During these six decades, discussion of the nature and size of our nuclear deterrent has been literally constant. Each year, hundreds of scientists, engineers, and global strategists devote innumerable hours and days to intense discussions of the proper strategy for the Nation and the proper nuclear stockpile to implement that strategy. Each year, Presidents have recommendations based upon the work of specialists inside and outside the Federal Government.…”