Dianne Feinstein

So we didn't fund it.

We made an offer to the House. The House turned it down.

But the question is, has it made a difference?

That's $1.5 billion essentially wasted.

Yes, the plutonium pits

Okay. And you're $800 million into it.

The new facility, the need for the new facility to take care of those items by the year--early 2020s, the pressure is off to get that done.

I want to speak about the termination or delay of two projects after spending a $1.5 billion on them.

But what effect will this have on the W76 in the Navy?

We'll write it down and hold you to it.

Good. Okay, that's good to hear.

Okay. I'd like to see it.

Could we please see the results of your pit-aging studies?

Well, I've asked GAO to take a look at this.

It's a good idea, Senator. And I'd be very pleased to participate.

This is a big issue and obviously is going to be in the House, too.

You are saying there is a likelihood we will achieve ignition by the end of the year?

In the Senate, there was a considerable debate about whether to go ahead with this facility or not.

Then what is it, on a scale of 1 to 10?

Well, if the original estimate was September, and it's now March, that's a substantial period of time.

Is it possible that NIF will not achieve ignition?

Well, how much longer can the stockpile be considered safe without ignition?

If you can't achieve ignition, that becomes a very big deal in terms of testing of weapons.

NIF is supposed to achieve ignition by September. My question is, will it?

I agree with you on the law of parsimony. I also know this is an election year, and this is controversial.