“ICBM silos are as much of an enduring strategic asset as
are ICBMs themselves,” the senators wrote to Hagel.
{mosads}“Our nation’s 450 ICBMs, while set in fixed locations, present through
their numbers an insurmountable targeting challenge for any adversary.
Additional reductions below 420 would begin to simplify that challenge.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee has already included an
amendment to its defense funding bill from Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John
Hoeven (R-N.D.) that blocked funding for the study.
The senators also warned the Pentagon not to use prior year funds
for the study, which could be one way around Congress if it blocks funding.
The Senate’s ICBM Coalition members who signed the letter include Tester, Hoeven and Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), John
Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.).
Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Deb
Fischer (R-Neb.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) also signed the letter to Hagel.