Hal Rogers: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Nuclear Weapon Security and…”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Nuclear Weapon Security and Non-Proliferation Act. Yes, it is a narrow scope, but it is a terribly important piece of the government. Like the bill we passed yesterday, this legislation addresses matters of critical importance to our national security. The National Nuclear Security Administration maintains our nuclear deterrents here at home, but it also helps to ensure that nuclear weapons and materials don't fall into the wrong hands--those of terrorists and other enemies of our Nation. H.J. Res. 76 provides funding for the NNSA to continue this vital work--to keep our nuclear arsenal at the ready and our Navy ships powered--and, ultimately, to keep this country safe and secure and protected. This is particularly important at a time when we face multiple threats from unpredictable nations and groups. When our government shut down, it did not also shut down nuclear power reactors, research and testing in Iraq, Iran, or North Korea. Funding is provided at the current annual rate of $10.59 billion to sustain the national labs, to continue the work of skilled workers and scientists, to conduct ongoing nonproliferation intelligence operations, and to maintain the safety and readiness of our nuclear stockpile. As with the prior 14 mini-CRs this House has passed in the last week, this language is essentially identical to what was included in my initial short-term continuing resolution.…”