Jim Matheson: “I strongly oppose the Advance Weapons Concepts funding in this appropriations bill. While I was pleased to see that the…”

“I strongly oppose the Advance Weapons Concepts funding in this appropriations bill. While I was pleased to see that the Energy and Water Appropriators chose to reduce funding for the 'Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator,' I am still concerned that this bill provides $5 million for the weapon. We live in an era when terrorism and national security concerns dominate the political landscape, as well they should. No one is arguing about the need to find new technologies with which our Nation can combat deeply buried targets, particularly those held by terrorists. Supporters of the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator argue that the current funding is strictly limited to weapons research and development in Department of Energy labs. This claim ignores the obvious end result of such funding--weapons design does not occur in a vacuum. In order for our soldiers to use nuclear weapons in combat, these weapons must first be physically tested, most likely at the Nevada Test Site. The Federal Government's poor record on weapons testing and containment of fallout is lengthy and disappointing, at best. I have already seen too many Americans succumb to then-unforeseen consequences of nuclear weapons. The price of new usable nuclear weaponry is too high for this great Nation, once again, and I reiterate my opposition to the advance weapons concepts funding.”