S. 2930: Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act

This bill, known as the Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act, aims to reduce spending on nuclear arms and to impose restrictions on certain nuclear weapons programs in the United States. Here are the primary aspects:

Key Findings

• The United States maintains a large and costly nuclear arsenal, inherited from Cold War policies.
• Current projections suggest that sustaining and modernizing this arsenal will cost around $946 billion from 2025 to 2034, potentially exceeding $1 trillion due to inflation and rising expenses.
• The Government Accountability Office has called for better financial planning and prioritization in nuclear modernization efforts.
• Reports indicate that significant savings could be achieved by scaling back certain planned nuclear systems while still meeting security requirements.

Reductions in Nuclear Forces

The bill specifies limitations on various components of the nuclear arsenal, which include:

• No more than **eight Columbia-class submarines** can be funded starting in fiscal year 2026.
• The Air Force's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force will be limited to **150 missiles** after 2026.
• The maximum number of **deployed strategic warheads** will be capped at **1,000** starting in fiscal year 2026.
• The purchase of **more than 80 B-21 long-range bombers** will be restricted through 2030.
• Funding for making the F-35 aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons will be prohibited.
• New air-launched cruise missiles and the **W80 warhead life extension program** will not receive funding.
• Funding for the LGM-35 Sentinel (new ICBM) will be prohibited.
• The existing **Uranium Processing Facility** in Tennessee will not receive funding.
• The procurement and deployment of **low-yield nuclear warheads** will be banned.
• The development and procurement of **new submarine-launched cruise missiles** will not be allowed.
• Production expansion of **plutonium pits** for nuclear weapons will be paused until a detailed schedule and cost report is provided to Congress.
• The sustainment of the **B83-1 bomb** will be halted.
• No funding will be authorized for **space-based missile defense systems**.
• Procurement and deployment of the **W-93 warhead** for submarine-launched missiles will be prohibited.

Reporting Requirements

The bill establishes specific reporting requirements for accountability and oversight:

• Within **180 days** of enactment, the Secretaries of Defense and Energy must jointly report on how they will comply with the bill.
• An **annual report** detailing the implementation plan and any updates will be required starting March 1, 2026.
• Annually, the President must provide a **comprehensive accounting** of federal spending on nuclear weapons.
• Another report on **cost savings** resulting from the bill's implementation is due within 180 days of enactment.

Relevant Companies

• BA (Boeing Co.) - As a manufacturer of military aircraft, including bombers, Boeing could see a direct impact from reductions in bomber purchases.
• LMT (Lockheed Martin Corp.) - As a key contractor for defense systems, limitations on new missile systems could affect their business operations.
• NOC (Northrop Grumman Corp.) - Involved in nuclear weapon delivery systems, Northrop Grumman may face challenges from constraints on new aircraft and missile systems.
• RTX (Raytheon Technologies Corp.) - Functions in defense technology, including missile systems, and could be impacted by cuts in funding for new missile development.