Thursday, June 03, 2004

Wally Responds: Nuclear Bunker Busters

This Action Alert is from True Majority, and I sent it before Wally Watch was started. But here is Wally's reply:

May 25, 2004

Dear Patrick:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the appropriation of funds for a "robust nuclear earth penetrator" program. While we may not see eye to eye on this important subject, I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, H.R. 4546, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2003, specifically directs the Secretaries of Defense and Energy to submit a report on various aspects and intents of the robust nuclear earth penetrator program prior to funds being made available for the program. At this time, no report has been issued by the related departments.

Generally referred to as a "report and wait requirement," Section 3146 of the bill requires the Secretary of Defense to submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 1) military requirements for the robust nuclear earth penetrator, 2) the nuclear weapons employment policy regarding the robust nuclear earth penetrator, 3) a detailed description of the categories or types of targets that the robust nuclear earth penetrator is designed to hold at risk, and 4) an assessment of the ability of conventional weapons to defeat the same categories and types of targets.

On November 12, 2002, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 4546 with my support. President Bush subsequently signed the bill into law on December 2, 2002.

Again, thank you for contacting me on this subject. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,
Wally


Updated Friday, June 4: added link to original action alert.

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