Bill · S. 2930· Senate(119-S-2930)
Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act
- Introduced
- 9/29/2025
- Last activity
- 9/29/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act" aims to reduce spending on nuclear weapons and related defense costs. It implements various restrictions on the procurement, deployment, and modernization of nuclear delivery systems and warheads. The bill limits the number of certain submarines, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and deployed strategic warheads. It also prohibits the development of specific new weapons, such as low-yield warheads, certain cruise missiles, and space-based missile defense systems. Additionally, it halts specific programs like the LGM-35 Sentinel and the Uranium Processing Facility. Finally, the act requires regular reports from government officials to track these changes and their associated costs.
Yes
Does this reduce what is spent on the military?+8
The bill significantly limits various nuclear weapons programs, submarines, and missiles to lower overall defense costs.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+7
The bill implements several procurement caps and prohibitions on nuclear modernization programs to reduce federal defense expenditures.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill mandates regular reports from the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, and the President regarding nuclear weapons accounting and cost savings.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reduction in National Spending: The bill seeks to reduce the massive projected costs of maintaining and modernizing the nuclear arsenal, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated could exceed $1,000,000,000,000 over a 10-year period (Section 2).
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Limits on Submarine Procurement: Funds for purchasing more than eight Columbia-class submarines may be restricted (Section 3a).
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Limits on Ground-Based Missiles: The Air Force would be limited to no more than 150 intercontinental ballistic missiles (Section 3b).
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Reductions in Deployed Warheads: The bill limits the number of deployed strategic warheads to no more than 1,000 (Section 3c).
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Limitations on Bomber Aircraft: The purchase of B-21 long-range penetrating bomber aircraft would be capped at 80 (Section 3d).
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Prevention of F-35 Nuclear Capability: Funds would be prohibited from making F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons (Section 3e).
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Prohibition of Certain Cruise Missiles: The bill prevents the research, development, or procurement of new air-launched cruise missiles or the W80 warhead life extension program (Section 3f).
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Halting New Missile Development: The development and procurement of the LGM-35 Sentinel and other new intercontinental ballistic missiles are prohibited (Section 3g).
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Termination of Specific Facilities: Funding for the Uranium Processing Facility at the Y-12 National Security Complex would be stopped (Section 3h).
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Prohibition of Low-Yield Warheads: The bill prohibits the deployment of the W76-2 low-yield nuclear warhead or any other low-yield or nonstrategic nuclear warhead (Section 3i).
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Prohibition of New Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles: Funds cannot be used for new submarine-launched cruise missiles capable of carrying low-yield or nonstrategic warheads (Section 3j).
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Controlled Plutonium Production: Expansion of plutonium pit production at Los Alamos and Savannah River sites is halted until a full schedule and cost estimate are submitted (Section 3k).
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Retirement of Specific Bombs: The sustainment of the B83-1 bomb is prohibited (Section 3l).
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Prohibition of Space-Based Defense: The bill prohibits the development of space-based missile defense systems (Section 3m).
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Prohibition of Specific Warhead Procurement: The procurement and deployment of the W-93 warhead on submarine-launched ballistic missiles is prohibited (Section 3n).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Plutonium Production: Expansion of production at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Savannah River Site is paused pending the submission of a new integrated master schedule and cost estimates (Section 3k).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Reduces Military Spending+8
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- 9/29/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont