The House considered, and passed 217-199, a version of the fiscal 2025 National Defense Authorization Act this week that includes a provision to restore nuclear capabilities to the B-52 bomber, but not an amendment restoring the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala., on behalf of Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), proposed an amendment Wednesday to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that requires the Air Force secretary to coordinate with the STRATCOM commander to restore the B-52 bomber’s nuclear capabilities. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Rogers, in support of the amendment, said since the nuclear capabilities of the B-52 were removed with the New START treaty, the U.S. needs to think about a post-New START world.
“The treaty expires in 2026 and the prospect of Russia coming to the table for serious arms control is incredibly unlikely, so we need to be prepared to face a nuclear environment without any treaty limitations,” Rogers said. “That’s what this amendment does. It takes reasonable steps to ensure that we prepared for a future threat environment that is more competitive and unconstrained by treaties”
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), in opposition to this amendment, said the Department of Defense is not interested in restoring the B-52 bomber, but rather in investing in the B-21 as a nuclear-capable bomber.
“This would cost a great deal of money,” Smith said. “Also, they are currently trying to extend the life of a number of B-52s out to 2050, which they’re confident they can do. This would be another added expense to that.”
Prior to the floor vote, the House Rules Committee allowed a bloc of amendments to the NDAA that include codifying the National Nuclear Security Administration as the interagency lead on nuclear forensics, meaning the agency would be responsible for strategizing a prevention plan against smuggling nuclear materials. The bloc also included an amendment on directing the Department of Defense to compile a list of opportunities to deploy nuclear reactors.
On Thursday, the committee adopted another bloc of amendments that included one on establishing a strategy to deploy nuclear microreactors to help with national disaster response efforts.
However, the bill did not include an extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
Editor’s note, June 21, 2024, 12:54 p.m. Eastern time. The story and headline were corrected to show that the bill passed the full House of Representatives.
