FEDERALhearing transcript

High Impact

Hearing on 2021 Nuclear Defense Budget and Programs

Original title: [H.A.S.C. No. 116-71]HEARING ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND OVERSIGHT OF PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS

January 1, 2021

nuclear weapons defense budget national security military modernization NNSA

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

The Frame

What this does

The committee is reviewing a $49 billion total budget request for nuclear programs, including a $3 billion increase for the National Nuclear Security Administration, which impacts federal spending priorities and the timeline for upgrading U.S. nuclear deterrent systems.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

National Nuclear Security Administration

The agency is seeking a budget increase of nearly $3 billion for fiscal year 2021.

Department of Defense

The department is requesting $17.7 billion for nuclear triad modernization efforts.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2021.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on Strategic Forces held a hearing to review the fiscal year 2021 budget request for nuclear forces and atomic energy defense activities. The session focused on justifying a significant funding increase for the National Nuclear Security Administration and reviewing modernization plans for the U.S. .

Key Facts

The total fiscal year 2021 budget request for the nuclear enterprise across the DOE and DOD is approximately $49 billion.
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) requested a nearly $3 billion (approx. 20%) increase over fiscal year 2020 funding.
The NNSA currently holds $8 billion in uncosted funds.
The Department of Defense requested $17.7 billion for the modernization of all three legs of the nuclear triad.
The budget request includes $1.5 billion for the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, intended to replace the existing ground-based intercontinental ballistic system.
The hearing took place on March 3, 2020, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
The subcommittee planned a closed session following the public hearing to discuss sensitive details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total amount requested for nuclear programs in 2021?

The total request across the Department of Energy and Department of Defense is approximately $49 billion.

Why is the NNSA budget increase being questioned?

Chairman Cooper noted that the NNSA is requesting a 20% increase while currently holding $8 billion in , placing a burden of proof on the agency to justify the new spending.

What is the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent?

It is a program receiving $1.5 billion in the 2021 budget to replace the current ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile system.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

financial connection90% confidence

NNSA Budget vs. Unspent Funds

The committee is highlighting a tension between the NNSA's request for a 20% budget increase and their existing $8 billion in uncosted funds.

National Nuclear Security Administration

Connected Entities

personLisa E. Gordon-Hagerty“Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration”Map →

organizationNational Nuclear Security Administration“Requested a nearly $3 billion budget increase”Map →

personJim Cooper“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces”Map →

personMichael R. Turner“Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools