Angie Craig: “I rise in support and as a sponsor of the amendment. It is absolutely crucial that the situation that has arisen over…”

“I rise in support and as a sponsor of the amendment. It is absolutely crucial that the situation that has arisen over the fueling and defueling of fuels from the nuclear Navy be resolved. This amendment, putting this body on record as supporting good faith negotiations between the Secretary of Defense and the Governor of Idaho for the purpose of pursuing an agreement on the issue of naval spent nuclear fuels, is a step in the right direction. Idaho has always recognized the importance of a strong nuclear Navy defense deterrent. Idaho takes a back seat to no one when it comes to supporting the defense of this Nation. At the same time, however, Idaho will not become a de facto spent nuclear waste repository. The facilities at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory were never designed nor intended to be a permanent nuclear waste disposal facility. I will not stand for that to happen and will always fight to assure Idaho does not become a nuclear waste dump for the Navy and the Department of Energy. This Nation must stand up and commit itself to addressing the final disposal of commercial, military, and DOE nuclear fuels. This amendment will go a long way to assure we reach the goal of a functioning Navy and Idaho does not become a permanent nuclear waste repository.”