feinstein.senate.gov/
According to press reports, the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review cited the need to develop a new generation of nuclear weapons and suggested a “new triad” which blurred the lines between conventional and nuclear forces. I keep mentioning that because this paper is often postulated as a throwaway -- don’t pay attention to it -- but it is a very important statement of administration policy.

As early as 2001, this administration was creating a new triad of strategic forces, and one part of that would be the nuclear triad -- in other words, the creation of new weapons that could be used along with conventional weapons.

This document also names seven countries -- not all of them possessing nuclear weapons -- against which we would consider launching a nuclear first strike.

H.R. 4614
Energy and Water Appropriations Act for FY 2005
Atomic Energy Defense Activities

H.R. 4614 provides $16.74 billion for the Energy Department to pursue defense-related atomic energy activities, $443 million more than in FY 2004 and $52.6 million less than the president’s request. Specific appropriations are detailed below.

* National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The NNSA will be appropriated at $9 billion, $372 million more than last year and $21.5 million less than the president’s request. This administration became effective on March 1, 2000; however the Department was slow to institute the Congressionally mandated changes.
* Weapons Activities. The measure appropriates $6.5 billion, $278.9 million more than last year and $54 million less than the president’s request for various nuclear weapons activities. This account maintains confidence in the safety, security, reliability and performance of America’s nuclear weapons’ stockpile. Specifically, funds are used for: (1) maintenance, R&D, engineering, and certification of the nuclear stockpile; (2) the three national labs, Nevada test site, weapons production plants, and selected external organizations; (3) the physical operations and infrastructure of the labs; (4) the transportation of weapons and materials; and (5) program direction. The measure does not fund proposed initiatives for advanced weapons concepts, including the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator, for enhanced test readiness, and for the Modern Pit Facility.
* Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation. Consistent with the establishment of the NNSA, the committee provides a separate account for this program and appropriates $1.34 billion ($28.8 million more than last year and the same as the president’s request) for it. Specifically, the funds will be allocated to Nonproliferation and Verification R&D, Arms Control, International Materials Protection, Control and Accounting, the Long-term Nonproliferation Program for Russia, HEU Transparency Implementation, International Nuclear Safety, Fissile Materials Disposition, and Program Direction. The measure reduces funding for the domestic mixed oxide (MOX) fuel plant and applies it to other high priority nonproliferation needs.
* Naval Reactors. Also, consistent with the establishment of the NNSA, the committee provides a separate account for this program and appropriates $807.9 million, $46 million more than last year and $10 million more than the president’s request. This program is responsible for all aspects of naval nuclear propulsion—from technology development through reactor operations, and finally reactor plant disposal.
* Other Defense Activities. The measure provides $697 million, $26.5 million more than in FY 2004 and $33.4 million more than the president’s request, for a variety of defense-related nuclear programs, nuclear safeguards, security investigations, the Office of Independent oversight, worker and community transition assistance, and the office of Hearings and Appeals.