Obama Nuclear Nonproliferation Budget Disappointing
by Kingston Reif [contact information]
by Cuyler O'Brien [contact information]
June 2, 2009
The Obama administration pledged to safeguard all vulnerable nuclear weapons and materials within four years. Yet the fiscal year 2010 (FY10) nonproliferation budget submitted to Congress in May is disappointing. Instead of an increase in nonproliferation funding to meet the aforementioned goal, the administration actually requested less money than Congress appropriated in FY09.
When asked for an explanation, Gary Samore, Special Assistant to the President for Arms Control, said that the administration is still putting together a plan for expanding its nonproliferation efforts. Hopefully, the plan will ultimately include increased funding for critical nonproliferation programs that prevent nuclear weapons and materials from being stolen, smuggled, or otherwise diverted into the hands of terrorists or other entities hostile to the United States.
FY10 Budget Request for International WMD Security Programs
(in millions of dollars)
(in millions of dollars)
| Program | FY09 Appropriation | FY10 Request |
National Nuclear Security Administration |
||
| Nonproliferation and International Security | 150.0 | 207.2 |
| International Nuclear Materials Protection and Cooperation | 455.0 | 552.3 |
| Elimination of Weapons-Grade Plutonium Production | 141.3 | 24.5 |
| Fissile Materials Disposition | 40.3 | 36.8 |
| Global Threat Reduction Initiative | 395.0 | 353.5 |
| International Nuclear Fuel Bank Program | -- | -- |
| Congressionally Directed Projects | 1.9 | -- |
| Subtotal, NNSA | $1,183.5 | $1,174.3 |
Department of Defense |
||
| Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs | 433.2 | 404.1 |
| Subtotal, DOD | $433.2 | $404.1 |
Department of Homeland Security |
||
| Domestic Nuclear Detection Office | 514.2 | 366.1 |
| Science and Technology Directorate | 362.3 | 361.3 |
| Office of Health Affairs | 119.6 | 102.5 |
| Customs and Border Protection | 149.5 | 165.4 |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Subtotal, DHS | $1,151.6 | $1,001.3 |
Department of State |
||
| Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund | 114.5.0 | 75.0 |
| Export Control and Related Border Security Assistance | 44.0 | 55.0 |
| Global Threat Reduction | 61.0 | 68.6 |
| Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation | ~3.8 | ~3.8 |
| Subtotal, State | $225.3 | $204.4* |
| TOTAL | $2,993.6* | $2,784.1 |
TABLE NOTES: Data from Partnership for Global Security
* The FY10 U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation request is unknown at this time. In this analysis, the FY09 appropriation has been carried.
*Total FY09 funding includes appropriations made in the FY09 Omnibus Appropriation (P.L. 111-008); Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-329); and the House-approved version of the Supplemental Appropriations Act 2009, which includes $55 million for NNSA and $73.5 million for State Department.
Kingston Reif 202-546-0795 ext. 2103 kreif@armscontrolcenter.org
Kingston Reif is the Director of Nuclear Non-Proliferation at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, where his work focuses on arms control, nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear weapons, and preventing nuclear terrorism. He has published letters and articles on nuclear weapons policy in such venues as the Washington Post, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal, Survival, Defense News, and Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Cuyler O'Brien 202-546-0795 ext. 2101 cobrien@armscontrolcenter.org
Cuyler O'Brien is a Policy Associate and Office Manager at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation where he follows nuclear nonproliferation and global security issues, attends policy meetings and Congressional hearings, briefs members of staff, and assists with the Center's research on various national security issues.