Ben Nelson: “I think it's a positive step for us to be able to set aside the nuclear option.”

These programs are central to our national security. They deserve full, bipartisan support.

When is the right time to bring China, India, Pakistan, or others into discussions with respect to nuclear weapons?

We have made conscious decisions to have a balanced program, and part of those decisions has been to accept a higher risk and to manage that risk.

I was very uncomfortable seeing that $400 million disappear, with the representations that we've made to be fully funded to carry out the program.