Garamendi Releases Statement on Significant Cost Overruns of the U.S. Air Force’s Nuclear Missile Program

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA08), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and co-chair of the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, issued the following statement on significant cost overruns of the Air Force’s Sentinel program:

“Today I was informed of an egregious, 37% cost overrun of the Sentinel program, the Air Force’s $100 billion ground-based nuclear missile program. This is unacceptable. I have been a vocal critic of this program for years and have consistently raised concerns about the misuse of taxpayer dollars and the failure to adequately address our national security needs. 

“In 2021, I introduced the "Investing in Commonsense Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) Act." This legislation aimed to bring fiscal responsibility and commonsense reforms to a program plagued by wasteful, unjustified spending. As the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee and a member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I have tirelessly advocated for reforms to rein in the excessive costs associated with the Sentinel program.  

“Unfortunately, my concerns have proven to be well-founded. We must reassess our nuclear posture and conduct a comprehensive review of our nuclear enterprise. Following this notification, the Department of Defense is required by law to conduct a review of the program and report to Congress costs, requirements, and alternatives while considering necessary tradeoffs. Congress must make choices. Every dollar we spend continuing this wasteful program is a dollar we could spend to provide training for servicemembers, improve housing for families, or sustain and maintain our forces. 

“Wise spending is crucial for our national defense, and as one of the world's most technologically advanced nations, we must think creatively and explore new ideas. Analyzing alternatives to the current costly path is imperative for our national defense. We must evaluate whether we should continue maintaining unnecessary ground-based capabilities or adopt innovative, cost-effective approaches to effectively address threats.  

“While conducting its review, I strongly urge the Department of Defense to pause and reflect on the fundamental premise of U.S. nuclear weapons. We understand the very real threats to international peace and stability, particularly those posed by Russia and China, but the solution is not simply to continue the same, outdated policies. In December 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized that "nuclear deterrence isn't just a numbers game. In fact, that sort of thinking can spur a dangerous arms race." National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan echoed this sentiment, stating that "the U.S. does not need to increase our nuclear forces to outnumber the combined total of our competitors to effectively deter them."  

“It is Congress’s responsibility to provide oversight to ensure that government spending truly provides for our national defense. These cost overruns are proof that we must look closely at our nation’s nuclear policies. I call on decision-makers to prioritize transparency, accountability, and a thorough analysis of alternative solutions that can address our security needs without compromising fiscal responsibility.”

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