Steve Daines: “This amendment strikes section 8132, which prohibits the use of funds to reduce or decommission Minuteman III ICBM silos…”

“This amendment strikes section 8132, which prohibits the use of funds to reduce or decommission Minuteman III ICBM silos or to put these silos into a nondeployed status other than warm status. A warm silo is one that can be made fully operational with the reintroduction of a missile. Let me remind those who are listening tonight that anybody who says, ``Thank God we have never had to use our ICBMs,'' I would argue they are used every day to ensure that we maintain peace and stability in the world. This section is modeled after language that was included in the House-passed NDAA to maximize the readiness of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad. I rise in opposition to this amendment. The language in this section is essentially the same as the language that was included in the House- passed National Defense Authorization Act. This section says that, if the Department of Defense takes a silo down to nondeployed status, it must keep it warm. That means it must be kept in a state that would allow it to become fully operational if a missile is reintroduced. This section would ensure that we maximize the readiness of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad and inhibit the administration from making unilateral cuts to our strategic deterrent. I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).…”