DoD SECRETARY PANETTA WEIGHS IN ON MODERNIZATION FUNDING

New Defense Secretary Leon Panetta weighed in on the debate over modernization funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration yesterday, telling a House panel that the nation needs to maintain funding for work on the nation’s nuclear deterrent. House and Senate appropriators have both cut liberally from the Obama Administration’s $7.6 billion request for the NNSA’s weapons program, providing $7.1 billion and $7.2 billion respectively, and Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) has spearheaded a push for further cuts to the nation’s nuclear deterrent by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. “I think it’s tremendously shortsighted if they reduce the funds that are absolutely essential for modernization,” Panetta told the House Armed Services Committee. “If we aren’t staying ahead of it, we jeopardize the security of this country. So, for that reason, I certainly would oppose any reductions with regards to the funding for [modernization].”