HASC-SF Chair ‘Confident’ Congress Will Fund Nuke Modernization

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Chair of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, during a speech in Washington yesterday said he is “confident” that Congress will support nuclear modernization even if it crowds out other planned defense investments. “Our recent HASC hearing made clear that DOD will fund the nuclear modernization programs everyone here knows we need,” Rogers said during yesterday’s Peter Huessy Congressional Breakfast, referencing a June 25 full HASC hearing. “I am confident Congress will support it. Spending 6 to 7 percent of our defense budget on our highest priority defense mission is an obvious ‘yes’ vote….As the Deputy [Defense Secretary Bob Work] and Vice [Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James Winnefeld] made clear two weeks ago: Nuclear deterrence is our highest priority and will be funded, even if it comes at the expense of other capabilities.” Rogers added that the "best way" to fund nuclear programs would be to lift the defense spending caps established by the Budget Control Act.