The Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act would limit some U.S. nuclear forces and bar federal spending on several nuclear weapons and related programs. It would cap the number of Columbia-class submarines purchased at eight, limit the Air Force to 150 intercontinental ballistic missiles, and limit deployed strategic warheads to 1,000. It would also cap B-21 bomber purchases at 80. The bill would prohibit or restrict spending on programs including the F-35 nuclear mission, new nuclear cruise missiles, the LGM-35 Sentinel missile, low-yield nuclear warheads, and the B83-1 bomb. It would require reports on implementation, estimated savings, and spending over the life cycle of each nuclear weapon and related program.
The bill concerns federal defense and nuclear weapons programs. It does not specify changes to individual services or benefits.
The bill does not provide a total cost or savings amount. It would require the Defense and Energy secretaries to estimate savings. Its findings cite a Congressional Budget Office estimate of $946 billion to operate, sustain, and modernize current nuclear forces from 2025 through 2034.
The bill's findings describe the nuclear arsenal and its modernization as costly. They cite a 2020 Congressional Budget Office analysis that found trimming current plans could reduce projected costs while maintaining a triad of delivery systems.
No publicly available information.