Turner includes amendment for construction of nuclear site

The Obama administration had delayed the construction of the
facility for five years, citing budget concerns and alternatives that were
available.

The amendment passed the Armed Services committee 38-24 on a
mostly party-line vote, with three Democrats voting with the Republicans.

{mosads}Turner’s second amendment placed construction of the New
Mexico facility and a uranium processing facility project to be built in Oak
Ridge, Tenn., under control of the Defense Department and not the Department of
Energy.

Turner says his amendments were designed to “expedite” the
construction process, which he said is supposed to be operational before 2024.
Turner cited President Obama’s statements on the plutonium facility before the
New START treaty with Russia was passed.

Democrats argued that the facility was delayed for budgetary
reasons, and the new construction wouldn’t fit within the Budget Control Act
constraints.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), ranking member of Strategic
Forces, said there was bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate for
delaying the new facility.

On shifting the projects to the Defense Department, Democrats
said the Pentagon does not have as much expertise with these types of
construction projects.

Ranking member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said it would be a “big
leap into the unknown” for the Pentagon and could create unforeseen problems.