Sean Reyes: “I am somewhat disappointed, Mr. Chairman, that even though the bill contains $10 billion for various ballistic missile…”

“I am somewhat disappointed, Mr. Chairman, that even though the bill contains $10 billion for various ballistic missile defense programs, no amendment was made in order to allow for legitimate debate and a vote on important policy issues related to those programs. I am, however, pleased that we will have an opportunity to debate the wisdom of developing new nuclear weapons. The mark contains the President's budget request for both the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator and an initiative to study new nuclear weapons designs called Advanced Concepts. I will encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of the Tauscher amendment which would transfer these funds to a more realistic and conventional alternative to 'bunker busting.'”