Mike Levin: “Nuclear Forces Our nuclear forces and posture were carefully examined during the review. We are committed to reducing…”

“Nuclear Forces Our nuclear forces and posture were carefully examined during the review. We are committed to reducing our nuclear forces to START II levels once the treaty is ratified by the Russian Duma and then immediately negotiating further reductions consistent with the START III framework. Until that time, we will maintain the START I force as mandated by Congress, which includes 18 Trident SSBNS, 50 Peacekeeper missiles, 500 Minuteman III missiles, 71 B-52H bombers, and 21 B-2 bombers. Protecting the option to maintain this force through FY 1999 will require adding $64 million in FY 1999 beyond the spending on these forces contained in the FY 1998-2003 President's budget now before Congress.”