Posted on 03/24/2004 5:03:29 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Senators from both parties have expressed concerns that continued research on a new "bunker buster" bomb could lead to a resumption of nuclear detonations at the Nevada Test Site.
During a Senate energy and water subcommittee budget hearing Tuesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she feared the Energy Department was "opening the nuclear door."
She cited a report by the Congressional Research Service earlier this month that said the department plans to ask Congress to approve $485 million for the "bunker buster" bomb over the next five years.
Lawmakers expressed concern the Energy Department was asking for $27.6 million in next year's budget to continue research on the weapon. Congress approved only $7.5 million for this year.
Linton Brooks, chief of the National Nuclear Security Administration, acknowledged the funding request for the bomb is "perhaps the single most contentious issue in our budget." The administration oversees the vast Nevada Test Site.
"What we are asking the Congress to do this year is to approve the continuation of the study," Brooks told the subcommittee hearing, which was held in Washington, D.C.
Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, said he feared accidents or sloppiness in testing 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas could have a wide-ranging effect.
"The people in southern Utah, in particular, are very suspicious of anything the government says about nuclear testing above ground or below ground," Bennett said.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the subcommittee's ranking Democrat, said prior to the hearing that he has always opposed the "bunker buster" bomb.
"I don't think we need new offensive weapons," Reid said.
The Bush administration is studying designs for the new weapon, also called the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator. Plans envision a nuclear bomb with a hardened shell that could burrow underground before exploding.
Military strategists say it could be helpful in destroying hidden arsenals and command centers.
Others say it would defeat the purpose of arms control.
There has not been an underground nuclear blast at the test site since Sept. 23, 1992. The last time atmospheric nuclear detonation at the test site was in 1962.
Senior Energy Department officials noted the "bunker buster" bomb is years away from becoming a reality and will not be developed without congressional approval.
"The law is extremely clear that beginning development and engineering requires congressional approval, and there is no one in the administration who has any doubt of or objection to that feature of that law," Brooks said.
Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal
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"The people in southern Utah, in particular, are very suspicious of anything the government says about nuclear testing above ground or below ground," Bennett said.
Bennett is an idiot. Atmospheric testing is prohibited under the Limited Test Ban Treaty which is still in effect.
Who do they think they are trying to control? We are fighting this war on two fronts: Foreign and domestic.
And against the same enemy.
I bet he said it with a straight face, too...in the middle of a world war!!!
Where the Hell do people like this COME from? How can they possibly be elected to ANYTHING?!?!
Patience, please.
We tested the first A-bomb at Alamagordo, New Mexico.
Once that was proven the SECOND one was dropped for effect.
Test first, fire for effect after. This avoids the embarassment of dropping a 'dud' on the enemy.
3000 families in New York may disagree. Any weapon that kills these nuts before they can commit another 9-11 looks good to me. If they're dug in, we need something to go get them.
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