An amendment that would prohibit defunding high explosive production at the Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, would be considered next week by the House Rules Committee as part of the 2025 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), whose district includes the Pantex Plant that services all U.S. nuclear weapons for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, offered the amendment that would place a moratorium on halting construction of the High Explosive Synthesis, Formulation, and Production facility at Pantex.
The House Committee on Rules said they may meet next week to provide floor consideration for the 2025 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The lawmakers had until Tuesday at 4pm to offer any amendments for consideration.
The first draft of the bill passed the House Appropriations Committee last week 30-26. If made law, that version of the bill would provide $25.5 billion to the National Nuclear Security Administration and increase funding for plutonium pit production and for the Uranium Processing Facility.
Other amendments for consideration include three from Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) that would prohibit funds to be used for the W87-1 warhead modification program, prohibit funds going toward the Savannah River Plutonium Modernization Program, and increase nuclear non-proliferation funding by $136 million.
