The House Armed Services emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee is recommending full funding of the White House’s budget request for the Defense Department’s Cooperative Threat Reduction program.
HASC subcommittees are holding their first markups this week of the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, including consideration of provisions related to the U.S. nuclear arsenal and other WMD-related work.
The emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee released its mark Tuesday, one day before its markup. The document includes provisions for the CTR program that works worldwide to secure weapons of mass destruction and associated materials – a key part of U.S. nonproliferation activities.
The White House’s fiscal 2018 proposal included $324.6 million for CTR through Sept. 30, 2020. The HASC subcommittee mark would authorize the same amount to be obligated over the next three fiscal years.
Of that total, $12.1 million would go toward strategic offensive arms elimination; $5 million for chemical weapons destruction; $17.9 million for global nuclear security; $172.8 million for cooperative biological engagement; $89.8 million for proliferation prevention; and $27 million for other administrative costs.
Under the omnibus appropriations bill funding the government through the end of this fiscal year, CTR receives $325.6 million. Of that, $11.8 million goes toward the strategic offensive arms elimination account; $16.9 million for global nuclear security; and $50.7 million for WMD proliferation prevention.
The full committee will conduct a markup of the fiscal 2018 NDAA on June 28. The document will set allowable spending levels for the Pentagon and Department of Energy national security activities, while actual spending levels will be established in separate appropriations bills.
