Missile study funds shot down

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the defense appropriations bill Thursday morning that includes language prohibiting the Defense Department from using funds to conduct an environmental study related to Minuteman III silos that contain missiles.

The language was sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. The bill now goes to the full Senate for approval. The House of Representatives passed similar language last week in an amendment co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Daines, R-Mont.

The $1.5 million study is included in the Air Force budget and is tucked into the $14.7 million budget line for intercontinental ballistic missile elimination required by the New START Treaty. The funding is listed for “engineering and design work for intercontinental ballistic missiles silo elimination.”

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