Political Quotes

“I have long been a champion of ensuring that the United States maintains a safe, secure, and credible nuclear deterrent while addressing the threat of nuclear proliferation and terrorism. I wholeheartedly agree with Chair Fleischmann that the National Nuclear Security Administration needs to improve its program and project management given that more than half of its projects are over cost or behind schedule. We must also face the realities of future defense caps and begin making important decisions to prioritize within this program. As one step in the prioritization process, the National Nuclear Security Administration proposed pausing, not phasing out, construction of this facility to focus resources on high-priority items necessary for nuclear weapon modernization efforts. Only through strategic prioritization can the program achieve success in meeting the needs of stockpile requirements and maintaining the nation's nuclear deterrent. We should not prohibit the NNSA from pausing certain activities, especially since those issues will be resolved through conferencing funding levels. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”