CORKER CALLS FOR ‘NECESSARY’ FUNDING FOR NUCLEAR DETERRENT

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel backed maintaining support for the nation’s nuclear deterrent last week. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) followed up with a call to hold him to his word. In a statement issued Friday, Corker urged Hagel to provide the “necessary” funding for the nation’s nuclear deterrent in the President’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget request. He didn’t elaborate, however, on how much funding is necessary. “As Secretary Hagel emphasized the importance of appropriate resources to modernize our nation’s nuclear arsenal, I urge the Obama administration to match this level of commitment with the funding necessary in the 2015 budget request so modernization remains on track,” Corker said. “To date their track record has been inconsistent. I recognize the need to address the nation’s spending problems, but I believe we can meet this challenge while also ensuring a safe and reliable nuclear deterrent, which is vital for U.S. and global security.”