Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act

The "Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act" seeks to curb the escalating costs and perceived excess of the United States nuclear arsenal. Findings indicate that the current nuclear force is a costly holdover from the Cold War, with projected modernization expenses potentially exceeding $1 trillion over the next decade , and that significant savings could be achieved by trimming current plans while maintaining national security objectives. To achieve these reductions, the bill imposes strict limitations on various nuclear assets and programs. It caps the number of Columbia-class submarines at eight, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at 150, and deployed strategic warheads at 1,000. Furthermore, it restricts the B-21 bomber fleet to 80 aircraft and prohibits the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter from carrying nuclear weapons. Key prohibitions include the research, development, or procurement of new air-launched cruise missiles (like the long-range stand-off weapon), new ICBMs (such as the LGM-35 Sentinel), and new submarine-launched cruise missiles. The bill also specifically bans the procurement and deployment of new low-yield nuclear warheads, terminates funding for the Uranium Processing Facility, and prohibits the sustainment of the B83-1 bomb and the development of space-based missile defense systems. Finally, it requires regular reports from the Secretaries of Defense and Energy on implementation plans, nuclear weapons accounting, and estimated cost savings.