Vote Results on Amendments to the FY09 Defense Authorization Bill

In good news, the Pearce (NM) amendment on the Reliable Replacement Warhead failed 145-271, with 227 Democrats and 44 Republicans voting against the measure. (Roll No. 358) The amendment would “amend title XXXI (DOE National Security Programs) to remove $10 million in funding for energy conservation on military installations and increase funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead program by $10 million.”

In bad news, the Tierney (MA) amendment on missile defense failed 122-292, with 117 Democrats and 5 Republicans voting in favor. (Roll No. 357) The amendment would “reduce funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $966.2 million. It would provide $75 million for the Cooperation Threat Reduction program, $592 million for the nonproliferation and WMD programs of the Energy Department, $30 million for impact aid to help local educational agencies provide support to dependents of service members, $30 million for family support of wounded service members, $30 million for suicide prevention programs for service members, and $10 million for a pilot program to identify and retrain wounded service members as military health professionals to treat other wounded service members. Any remaining funds would be used to fund National Guard and Reserve shortfalls, especially in connection with homeland security activities.”

In good news, the Franks (AZ) amendment on missile defense failed 186-229, with 215 Democrats and 14 Republicans voting against. (Roll No. 356) The amendment would “add $719 million to the Missile Defense Agency’s budget. This amendment directs the Department of Defense to utilize the $719 million for Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, and Tests & Targets within the Missile Defense Agency account portfolio. The offset for the $719 million is to be determined by the Secretary of Defense from title II of the bill (Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation).”

The Spratt (SC) amendment on Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities was agreed to by voice vote. The amendment “[r]equires the DNI, on an annual basis, to submit to Congress an update of the National Intelligence Estimate entitled "Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities" and dated November 2007. Such update may be submitted in classified form. The President shall notify Congress in writing within 15 days of determining that Iran has met or surpassed any major milestone in its nuclear weapons program or that Iran has undertaken to accelerate, decelerate, or cease the development of any significant element within its nuclear weapons program.”

There was no vote on the Schiff (CA) amendment on accidental nuclear launch. The amendment would “require the Defense Secretary to study methods to verifiably reduce the likelihood of accidental nuclear launch by any nation. The Secretary must report to Congress on the results of the study within 6 months.”

White House on the FY09 Defense Authorization Bill

The White House released its “Statement of Administration Policy” on the FY09 Defense Authorization bill today. Below are the relevant portions on Iran, missile defense, and RRW.

Iran: The Administration also strongly opposes any amendments that would restrict the ability of the United States to deal effectively with the threats to regional security posed by the conduct of Iran.

Missile Defense: The Administration strongly opposes the significant reduction of over $700 million to our missile defense programs, including European Missile Defense, Airborne Laser, the Multiple Kill Vehicle, and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor. In addition, the Administration strongly opposes any potential amendment that would impose even more dramatic reductions to missile defense funding. The Administration is particularly concerned with the reduction of $371 million for the European Missile Defense program, which could jeopardize the security of the United States and our European allies by delaying the fielding of missile defense assets to protect against the emerging missile threat posed by Iran.

Reliable Replacement Warhead: The Administration opposes the redirection of all funding requested for the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration's Reliable Replacement Warhead program, which is needed to improve the security, reliability and maintainability of our aging nuclear stockpile.

Congress Announces Appointments to WMD and Terrorism Commission

Last Friday, Congressional leadership announced their appointments to the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.

The commission's creation was a recommendation of the independent 9/11 Commission. It is assigned to assess the United States' current non-proliferation and anti-terrorism efforts and provide a "clear comprehensive strategy" with "concrete recommendations" to achieve both goals.

Commission members are:

• Former Senator Bob Graham, Chairman (Chair, Graham Center for Public Service, University of Florida and University of Miami)
• Former Senator Jim Talent, Vice-Chairman (Distinguished Fellow, The Heritage Foundation)
• Former Congressman Timothy J. Roemer (President, Center for National Policy)
• Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman (Principal, The Albright Group LLC)
• Dr. Graham T. Allison (Director, Harvard University Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs)
• Mr. Richard Verma (Partner, Steptoe & Johnson, LLP)
• Mr. Henry Sokolski (Executive Director, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center)
• Mr. Stephen Rademaker (Senior Counsel, BGR Holding, LLC)
• Ms. Robin Cleveland, (Principal, Olivet Consulting, LLC)

In a report due in 180 days, the Committee is tasked to examine:

• Efforts to secure loose nukes and weapons-usable material
• U.S. and international efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and materials to terrorists and rogue states
• The role of various U.S. departments in these matters, and inter-agency coordination
• U.S. commitment to and cooperation with international regimes
• The threat of WMD proliferation to America and its allies
• The suggestions of the earlier Baker-Cutler Report

With the wealth of expertise and experience on this commission, it would be a shame for their report to fail to "step outside the box" in its analysis of and proposals for U.S. efforts - both unilateral and multilateral - to curb the proliferation of nukes and other WMD and to address problems of terrorism around the world.

For the most part, they're far enough outside of actual government work to avoid falling victim to some of its bureaucratic limitations, and to instead provide conceptual alternatives to addressing the problems of WMD and terrorism. In addition, they have the experience and credibility to offer specific ways in which these plans can be implemented. There's no down-playing the potential of this group's collective wisdom to help guide the next administration.

Amendments to the FY09 Defense Authorization Bill

Provided below is a list of relevant amendments permitted by the House Rules Committee to the FY09 Defense Authorization bill. Votes will likely come tomorrow.

4. Spratt (SC): 20 minutes of debate – Iran National Intelligence Estimate
Requires the DNI, on an annual basis, to submit to Congress an update of the National Intelligence Estimate entitled "Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities" and dated November 2007. Such update may be submitted in classified form. The President shall notify Congress in writing within 15 days of determining that Iran has met or surpassed any major milestone in its nuclear weapons program or that Iran has undertaken to accelerate, decelerate, or cease the development of any significant element within its nuclear weapons program.

6. Franks (AZ): 20 minutes - Missile defense increased
Would add $719 million to the Missile Defense Agency’s budget. This amendment directs the Department of Defense to utilize the $719 million for Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, and Tests & Targets within the Missile Defense Agency account portfolio. The offset for the $719 million is to be determined by the Secretary of Defense from title II of the bill (Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation).

23. Tierney (MA): 20 minutes – Missile defense cut and transferred
Would reduce funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $966.2 million. It would provide $75 million for the Cooperation Threat Reduction program, $592 million for the nonproliferation and WMD programs of the Energy Department, $30 million for impact aid to help local educational agencies provide support to dependents of service members, $30 million for family support of wounded service members, $30 million for suicide prevention programs for service members, and $10 million for a pilot program to identify and retrain wounded service members as military health professionals to treat other wounded service members. Any remaining funds would be used to fund National Guard and Reserve shortfalls, especially in connection with homeland security activities.

33. Pearce (NM): 10 minutes – Reliable replacement warhead
Would amend title XXXI (DOE National Security Programs) to remove $10 million in funding for energy conservation on military installations and increase funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead program by $10 million.

43. Schiff (CA): 5 minutes – accidental nuclear launch
Would require the Defense Secretary to study methods to verifiably reduce the likelihood of accidental nuclear launch by any nation. The Secretary must report to Congress on the results of the study within 6 months.

Potential Amendments to the FY09 Defense Authorization Bill Related to Iran, Missile Defense, and Nuclear Weapons

Provided below is a list of amendments related to Iran, missile defense, and nuclear weapons submitted to the House Rules Committee for the FY09 Defense Authorization bill. It is unclear which amendments the Committee will permit to be offered.

Iran

Franks (AZ), #53
States the Sense of Congress that the Department of Defense should develop and maintain a viable military option to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from successfully developing or deploying a nuclear weapons capability.

Spratt (SC), #128
Requires the DNI, on an annual basis, to submit to Congress an update of the National Intelligence Estimate entitled "Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities" and dated November 2007. Such update may be submitted in classified form. The President shall notify Congress in writing within 15 days of determining that Iran has met or surpassed any major milestone in its nuclear weapons program or that Iran has undertaken to accelerate, decelerate, or cease the development of any significant element within its nuclear weapons program.

Missile Defense

Bishop, Sanford (GA), #95
Would provide 180 days of transitional health care to those service members who separate honorably from active duty and agree to serve in the Guard or Selected Reserve at no charge to the service member. It would offset the cost by cutting $22 million from the Missile Defense Agency.

Franks (AZ), #52
Would add $719 million to the Missile Defense Agency’s budget. This amendment directs the Department of Defense to utilize the $719 million for Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, and Tests & Targets within the Missile Defense Agency account portfolio. The offset for the $719 million is to be determined by the Secretary of Defense from title II of the bill (Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation).

Franks (AZ), #54
Would add $300 million to the Missile Defense Agency’s budget for Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. The $300 million shall be divided between both programs in a manner deemed appropriate by the Department of Defense. The offset for the $300 million would be determined by the Secretary of Defense from accounts outside of the MDA portfolio of Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation accounts

Gonzalez (TX), #26
Would rename the “National Casualty Care Research Center” as the "National Casualty Care and Trauma Research Center.” It also changes the authorization level for this Center from $1 million to $5 million. The increase is offset by a $4 million reduction in the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program.

Tierney (MA), #115
Would reduce funding for the Missile Defense Agency by $966.2 million. It would provide $75 million for the Cooperation Threat Reduction program, $592 million for the nonproliferation and WMD programs of the Energy Department, $30 million for impact aid to help local educational agencies provide support to dependents of service members, $30 million for family support of wounded service members, $30 million for suicide prevention programs for service members, and $10 million for a pilot program to identify and retrain wounded service members as military health professionals to treat other wounded service members. Any remaining funds would be used to fund National Guard and Reserve shortfalls, especially in connection with homeland security activities.

Tierney (MA), #116
Provides that it is the policy of the United States not to deploy any weapon system designed to intercept an intermediate-range or long-range ballistic missile until the Defense Secretary certifies to Congress that the weapon system has successfully demonstrated the ability to track, detect, and intercept a warhead launched by a facsimile of the missiles expected to be deploye

Nuclear Weapons

Pearce (NM), #39
Would amend title XXXI (DOE National Security Programs) to remove $10 million in funding for energy conservation on military installations and increase funding for the Reliable Replacement Warhead program by $10 million.

Pearce (NM), #40
Provides that of the $9.3 billion authorized for the DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration (title XXXI of the bill), the amount authorized for the directed stockpile is increased by $50 million, of which $35 million is for Pit Manufacturing and $15 million is for Pit Manufacturing Capability. The increase is offset by a $50 million reduction in funds for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative.

Schiff (CA), #13
Would require the Defense Secretary to study methods to verifiably reduce the likelihood of accidental nuclear launch by removing weapons of the United States, Russia, China, and others from hair-trigger alert. The Secretary must report to Congress on the results of the study within 6 months.

Schiff (CA), #14
Would require the Energy Secretary to prepare a research and development plan to prioritize research and development efforts at DOE and the national labs overseen by DOE. The plan should describe the technical capabilities required (1) to enable a robust nuclear forensic response to a nuclear explosion or interdiction of nuclear materials or weapons worldwide and (2) to develop an international database containing data on nuclear material to enable the attribution of nuclear material or weapons to their sources. DOE shall report to the congressional defense committees within 6 months on the plan and within 18 months on implementation of the plan

Nuke and Nonpro Highlights of House Armed Services Committee Action on the FY09 Defense Authorization Bill

The Center’s Chris Hellman and Travis Sharp put out their Analysis of House Armed Services Committee Action on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (HR 5658) yesterday. The full analysis is available online and the press release is here.

The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) completed its markup of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Defense Authorization bill (HR 5658) on May 15, 2008. HASC's marked up bill recommends an overall FY2009 authorization level of $601.4 billion, the amount requested by the administration. This $601.4 billion total includes $70 billion for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and $531.4 billion for National Defense (function 050). Of the $531.4 billion slated for National Defense, $515.2 billion is for the Department of Defense (DOD) and $16.2 billion is for the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons activities.

The FY2009 Defense Authorization bill is expected to come up for floor consideration in the House on May 22. The Senate Armed Services Committee completed its markup of its version of the FY2009 Defense Authorization bill on May 1. The full Senate is expected to consider its version of the bill sometime in June.

Included below are highlights, funding provisions, and legislative provisions relating to nuclear weapons and nonproliferation issues.

BASE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

Prompt Global Strike – Fully funds the $118 million request for the "Prompt Global Strike" program, plus provides an additional $7 million under the program for the Army's Advanced Hypersonic Weapon.

Missile Defenses in Europe – The bill includes $341.2 million for Research & Development and Military Construction for long-range missile defense sites in Europe, $371 million below the request. The bill also restricts funding from being obligated until the governments of the Czech Republic and Poland have agreed to basing and status of forces agreements, and DOD certifies that the system has demonstrated a "high probability of working" through "operationally realistic flight testing." (For more information, see this and this Center analysis)

Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) – The bill does not authorize any of the Navy's $23.3 million request for RRW, but does redirect $13.3 million of the request for Arming, Fuzing, and Firing (AF&F) systems that could be used either for RRW or for an existing weapon refurbished through the Life Extension Program. The bill does not authorize any of the NNSA's $10 million request for RRW within Directed Stockpile Work, but it does add $10 million within Advanced Certification to address questions raised by the JASON review of RRW.

Nonproliferation Programs and Cooperative Threat Reduction – The bill includes $1.5 billion in funding for Department of Energy nonproliferation programs, $208 million above the request. The bill also includes $445.1 million in funding for DOD's CTR "Nunn-Lugar" program, $31 million above the request.

Global Threat Reduction Initiative – The bill includes $389.6 million in Department of Energy funding, $170 million above the request, for GTRI, a program that strengthens nuclear and radioactive material security worldwide.

MAJOR WEAPONS SYSTEMS

Ballistic Missile Defense
Request: $10.2 billion
Committee: $9.5 billion ($719 million below request)

NON-PROLIFERATION PROGRAMS

Department of Energy Nonproliferation Programs
Request: $1.247 billion
Committee: $1.455 billion ($208 million above request)

DOD Cooperative Threat Reduction Program ("Nunn-Lugar")
Request: $414.1 million
Committee: $445.1 million

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NUCLEAR WEAPONS-RELATED ACTIVITIES

National Nuclear Security Administration
Request: $9.1 billion
Committee: $9.3 billion ($205 million above request)

Environmental and Other Defense Activities
Request: $6.9 billion
Committee: $6.9 billion ($28 million above request)

KEY POLICY PROVISIONS

Missile Defense Force Structure – The committee records that it "does not believe that the Missile Defense Agency has the appropriate expertise to set missile defense force structure requirements," adding that there is a "general lack of transparency and methodology." The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive plan for setting missile defense force structure and inventory requirements. The plan must include a clearer delineation of responsibilities within MDA as well as separate program element budget request numbers for each specific element within the Terminal Defense Segment and Ballistic Missile Defense Sensors.

Study of Boost Phase Missile Defense – Requires the Secretary of Defense to commission an independent assessment of the costs and benefits of boost phase missile defense. The study would be responsible for examining the Airborne Laser and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor programs, amongst others.

Report on Nuclear Weapons Inventory Control – Noting concerns over the inadvertent transfer of nuclear weapons from Minot AFB to Barksdale AFB in August 2007, and the discovery in March 2008 that nose cones for Minuteman III missiles were mistakenly shipped to Taiwan in 2006, the committee directs the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy to jointly prepare a report on the steps the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy plan to take to address nuclear weapons inventory deficiencies.

Missile Defense Highlights of House Armed Services Committee Mark-Up of H.R. 5658

Last Wednesday (May 14), the House Armed Services Committee completed its mark-up of the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5658). A summary of the bill can be found here and the full text of the bill can be found here. For a summary of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s mark-up, see here.

Under the leadership of Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO), and Ranking Member Duncan Hunter (R-CA), the Committee authorized approximately $10.2 billion for ballistic missile defense, a reduction of $719 million from the administration’s request and an increase of $212 million over the current year.

Noting the Bush administration’s overemphasis on the threat from long-range missiles and underemphasis on the real threat from short and medium-range missiles, the Committee increased funds for near-term missile defense capabilities (including $1.2 billion, an increase of $75 million, for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system (Aegis), $939.9 million, an increase of $75 million, for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, and $1.5 billion for Army missile defense programs, including the Patriot system) and slashed funds from systems designed to address longer-term threats (including $378.6 million for the Airborne Laser (ABL) program, a reduction of $42.6 million, $286.8 million for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), a reduction of $100 million, $254.4 million for the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) program, a reduction of $100 million, and no funds for the proposed space test bed, a reduction of $10 million). The Committee also required that the Secretary of Defense contract with a Federally Funded Research and Development Center to conduct an independent assessment (to be completed within 90 days of the passage of H.R. 5658) examining the operational capabilities of ABL and KEI to counter short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats in their boost phase.

Most dramatically, the Committee authorized $341.2 for the proposed long-range missile defense sites in Europe, a reduction of $370.8 million (including $232 million for research and development and $140 million for military construction) and an increase of $116 million over the current year. It also limited the availability of funds for the sites until the administration has certified the system’s effectiveness and the Polish and Czech parliaments have given their final approval of any deployment agreement negotiated with the United States. As Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chairwoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) put it, “we don’t believe the American people should be digging holes in Poland for a system that will eventually cost over $4 billion when we don’t have ratified and signed agreements with their government.”

The Committee’s action on the proposed European deployment was particularly significant in that it cut an additional $140 million from the Strategic Forces Subcommittee’s initial reduction of $232 million (recall that the Senate Armed Services Committee fully funded the administration’s request). Moreover, the condition that deployment and construction of the system cannot move forward until the Polish and Czech governments have given their approval will continue to give the Bush administration fits. The U.S.-Czech agreement has been delayed for the third month in a row and is now scheduled for sometime in June, while talks between the U.S. and Poland continue to flounder.

Not surprisingly, Skelton’s missile defense cuts did not sit well with the Republicans on the Committee. All told, three amendments were introduced in an attempt to restore cut funds. Strategic Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member Terry Everett (R-AL), offered an amendment to restore the funds that were cut from the European deployment, but it was defeated 34-24. Rep. Terry Franks (R-AZ), attempted to restore $100 million to the MKV program, but his amendment fell 34-25. Finally, Everett introduced a second amendment, which sought to authorize $5 million for a study on the costs and benefits of a space-based missile defense system. It failed 34-26.

All told, the Committee is to be commended for slashing and conditioning funds for a proposed deployment that, among other shortcomings, includes assets which have not been adequately tested, has yet to be agreed to by the host governments, is of dubious potential efficacy, and has exacerbated great-power relations with Russia

H.R. 5658 is scheduled to appear on the House floor May 21-22.

National Security Legislative Wrap-Up

With Congress headed into a Memorial Day recess at the end of the week, the pace of action on national security legislation has picked up. There is nothing like a deadline to force decisions.

Last week, the House of Representatives completed action on the Supplemental Appropriations bill to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and unexpectedly rejected new war funding. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a similar supplemental bill, and the full Senate is expected to take action on the bill this week. Last week, the House Armed Services Committee completed its mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill, and the full House has scheduled consideration this week.

This week, Congress may also vote on the Fiscal year 2009 Budget Resolution conference report and the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing on the nominations of Gen. David Petraeus to lead the U.S. Central Command and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno to command of U.S. forces in Iraq.

FISCAL YEAR 2008 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION BILL

On May 15, the House of Representatives took action on the Supplemental Appropriations bill (HR 2642) by approving two parts of the bill but rejecting funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Also on May 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved by voice vote the Supplemental Appropriations bill. The Committee also approved three separate amendments: $169 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; more than $25 billion for new domestic spending; and provisions limiting the President’s authority to wage unrestrained war, including setting a goal for most U.S. troops to be out of Iraq by June 2009.

Along the way, the Committee added many provisions on a bi-partisan basis that the House did not consider. Among the Committee-approved provisions is one that provides incentives for Highly Enriched Uranium imports from Russia.

Two amendments were rejected after extensive debate:

• A Brownback (R-KS) amendment limiting a waiver of sanctions against North Korea to permit the U.S. to help North Korea dismantle its nuclear program failed 6 -23.

• An Allard (R-CO) amendment to permit oil shale mining was defeated 14 – 15.

The full Senate is expected to take up the bill this week. Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) plan -- at least before the House defeated war funding -- was to bring the House-passed Supplemental Appropriations bill directly to the Senate floor, and then have the Appropriations Committee offer its bill as amendments to the House-passed bill. It is not clear whether this procedure will now be modified.

FISCAL YEAR 2009 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

On May 1, the Senate Armed Services Committee released its markup of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill.

This bill, as reported to the full Senate by the Armed Services Committee, fully funds the administration’s $612.5 billion FY2009 national defense request, as did the FY2009 Budget Resolution passed by the Senate on March 13.

Noteworthy provisions in the Senate Armed Services Committee's marked up bill include:

• Retains the budget request for Reliable Replacement Warhead at the National Nuclear Security Administration, but reduces Navy RRW funding by $23 million.

• Adds more than $120 million for various nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

• Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide limited waiver authority to allow the Departments of Energy and Defense to conduct work to denuclearize North Korea, and adds $50 million to NNSA for this work.

• Authorizes full funding for the administration’s $720 million request for the third missile defense site in Europe, but limits the use of funds for construction or deployment until two conditions are met: 1) the European government gives final approval (including parliamentary approval) of any deployment agreement negotiated with the United States; and 2) 45 days have elapsed after Congress receives the report required in the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2008.

• Prohibits using DOD funds authorized by the bill from being used for large-scale (defined as over $2 million) infrastructure projects in Iraq.

The full Senate is likely to consider the bill in June.

Early in the morning of May 15, the House Armed Services Committee approved by a vote of 61 – 0 the annual Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 5658). The bill authorizes $531.4 billion for the regular budget, plus an additional $70 billion as a down payment on next year’s costs for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, for a total of $601.4 billion.

Some of the major decisions include:

• Cut the $712 million request for a proposed third missile defense site in Europe by $371 million (Everett [R-AL] amendment to restore the funds rejected 24 - 34).

• Conditioned most of the spending on the third missile defense site on certification of the system’s effectiveness and approval of the plan by the Polish and Czech parliaments.

• Cut all $10 million for the Space Test Bed for space-based interceptor weapons (Everett (R-AL) amendment to restore $5 million to study the program rejected 26 - 33).

• Authorized $254.4 million for the Multiple Kill Vehicle missile defense system, a reduction of $100 million (Franks [R-AZ] amendment to restore the funds failed 25 - 34).

• Redirected $10 million in the National Nuclear Security Administration budget request for the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) and $23.2 million in the Navy budget for the RRW to other, higher priority activities.

• Authorized $445.1 million for the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, an increase of $31 million.

• Approved $1.5 million for Department of Energy non-proliferation programs, an increase of $215 million.

• Recommended $389.6 million for the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), an increase of $170 million.

The Committee rejected a Saxton (R-NJ) amendment setting a four percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) planning figure for the Pentagon budget when it instead approved 34 - 27 a Spratt (D-SC) amendment stating that defense spending should be based on threats and security strategy.

The Committee also watered down a Hunter (R-CA) - Franks (R-AZ) amendment that would have required the Pentagon to develop and maintain a military option against Iran. The eventual amendment adopted by voice vote requires a Pentagon report on the full range of Middle East contingencies, including Iran and its nuclear facilities.

FISCAL YEAR 2009 BUDGET RESOLUTION

A House-Senate conference to resolve differences between the two versions of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution has almost reached a deal in the week before the Memorial Day recess. The conferees agreed on a $3 trillion budget that is about $20 billion above President Bush's request. If the budget resolution is approved, it will be the first time since 2000.

NORTH KOREAN ASSISTANCE

On May 14, the House passed two bills by voice vote related to North Korea. One bill, H.R. 5834, increased refugee assistance and human rights and democracy-building programs in North Korea. The second bill, H.R. 5916, waived provisions in law that hindered U.S. assistance to North Korea in order to facilitate dismantling its nuclear plants. A similar provision is contained in the Senate version of the Supplemental Appropriations bill.