Council: Front and Center April 30

Politifact article cites the Center

Is the U.S. subsidizing Iran’s nuclear program by purchasing heavy water? After researching the issue, including communication with Center experts, the fact-checking organization Politifact rated this claim by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan “Mostly False.” See why Speaker Ryan’s missed the mark on the facts.

President Obama tentatively scheduled to visit Hiroshima

This year’s G-7 Summit meeting is taking place in Japan, and President Obama is making the trip to discuss more than the global economy. Sources confirmed that the president will visit Hiroshima after the summit and will likely reaffirm the importance of pursuing a world without nuclear weapons. The visit will come just a few weeks after Secretary of State John Kerry became the highest-ranking US official in history to tour the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Learn more about the planned visit and its significance.

New York Times reports on a new nuclear arms race

The Cold War may be over, but the U.S. and Russia – and even China – are threatening to revive a nuclear arms race, The New York Times reported. For years, our experts have warned of the potential negative impacts of modernizing the entire nuclear arsenal. The Times story covers the dangers of new hypersonic weapons and what new nuclear capabilities could mean for already-strained international relations. Read the article in The New York Times.

Council signs Bipartisan Pentagon Savings letter

The Council joined a group of 16 organizations from both sides of the political aisle to call for almost $40 billion worth of Pentagon savings from programs unnecessary for national security. The proposed savings include the cancellation of the new nuclear-tipped cruise missile, which many experts consider unnecessary and destabilizing. Check out the full letter to see the details.

House Armed Services Committee passes National Defense Authorization Bill

Early Thursday morning, the House Armed Service Committee voted 60-2 to advance its version of next year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). While aspects of the bill were troubling, an amendment by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) prohibiting consideration of a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile system was accepted. Reports of the Air Force researching a mobile option for its ICBMs – which was considered during the Cold War and ultimately never moved past the development phase – drew the ire of many arms control advocates.

The bill will next be debated on the House Floor. The Senate has yet to introduce their defense policy bill in subcommittee.    

Senate Energy and Water bill curtailed

The Energy and Water appropriations bill, which covers nuclear weapons and non-proliferation spending, came to a screeching halt on the Senate floor this week. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) offered an amendment to prohibit any U.S. purchase of Iranian heavy water, which supporters of the Iran Deal labeled a “poison pill” meant to undermine the diplomatic agreement. Before the amendment, the bill was seen as a rare bipartisan achievement – but now stands in limbo. Read The New York Times article explaining the issue.

Center Scientists Working Group member Jack Woodall receives prestigious award

Dr. Jack Woodall, a member of the Center’s Scientists Working Group, was honored with the prestigious Richard M. Taylor Award from The American Committee on Arthropod-Borne Viruses for his outstanding contributions to arbovirology, a subsection of microbiology. Congratulations Dr. Woodall for this remarkable achievement! 

Senior Fellow John Isaacs pens op-ed in The National Interest

House Armed Services Committee chairman Mac Thornberry recently complained about weaknesses in U.S. military readiness. But if he and his colleagues are seeking additional defense funds, they should look at their own budget first. Read the full op-ed.

MOX Fuel Program: Current Plans and Controversy

The Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication Facility at Savannah River, South Carolina is intended to manufacture nuclear fuel from surplus weapons-grade plutonium for use in commercial nuclear energy reactors. However,
the project has faced serious delays and massive cost overruns – and currently has no customers for its proposed fuel. Read The Center’s latest factsheet to learn more about the program.