Daines Fights to Protect Montana's ICBM Mission, Maintain Strong Nuclear Deterrent

Press Release

Montana Congressman Steve Daines is continuing his fight to maintain a strong nuclear deterrent and protect the nation's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force from unilateral and premature reductions.

Daines joined Representatives Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) in introducing an amendment to the 2014 Department of Defense Appropriations Act that would prevent the Obama administration from pursuing efforts to unilaterally reduce our nuclear arsenal, including the nation's fleet of ICBMs--150 of which are located in Montana at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

Daines' amendment was adopted by the House late last night. Daines also successfully led efforts to block an amendment sponsored by Congressman Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) that would have effectively implemented the Obama administration's recent proposal for a unilateral one-third reduction to the nation's ICBM force.

"We face a world today in which nuclear threats to the United States are increasing and our conventional military capabilities face dramatic reductions. Given this, our nuclear deterrent is becoming more important--not less," Daines stated during floor debate last night."We cannot underestimate the role that our strong nuclear defenses have played in keeping America secure and maintaining peace not only with Russia, but throughout the world. In fact, some say we have never had to use our ICBMs. I would argue we use them every day to ensure the world is a safer place."

The Obama administration requested funds in their 2014 budget proposal to do environmental impact studies of our intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which is widely seen as backdoor attempt to reduce our ICBM fleet. Daines' amendment prohibits this study.

Daines has been a vocal proponent of preserving the nation's nuclear forces and protecting the ICBM mission at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

"Earlier this year, I visited Malmstrom and met with the leaders of the 341st Missile Wing to discuss the importance of our ICBM mission to our national security," Daines added during debate. "Colonel Robert W. Stanley, the Commander at Malmstrom, gave me this coin, which bears a motto that truly sums up why our defense strategy is effective. It says: "Scaring the hell out of America's enemies since 1962.' This motto clearly demonstrates the importance of our "peace through strength' strategy."

Last month, Daines led more than forty members of Congress in calling on President Obama to reconsider any unilateral reduction in our nation's nuclear arsenal and submit any proposed international agreement for such reductions to the Senate for review.

Daines also successfully worked to include a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act, which was passed by the House in June, instructing the Department of Defense to maintain the nation's 450 ICBM silos in a warm status.

The United States' nuclear weapons arsenal is divided into three elements: land-based missiles in silos, missiles aboard nuclear submarines, and nuclear bombers. Malmstrom Air Force Base currently maintains and secures 150 ICBMs across north-central Montana. The ICBM mission accounts for more than 40 percent of the economy in north-central Montana and contributes to approximately 5,000 jobs.

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