The United States plans to spend over $1 trillion to modernize its nuclear arsenal over the next 30 years. This includes improving the accuracy of nuclear weapons and, more frighteningly, creating adjustable yields, making the use of these weapons more likely.
Moscow has repeatedly urged for calm, while observing that the modernization plans are a violation of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
On Wednesday, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) indicated that he also believes the US should tone down its nuclear pursuits.
"I think we should buy fewer nuclear weapons," he said on Wednesday, during a meeting of the House Armed Services Committee.
Smith added that, while he agrees that nuclear deterrents are necessary, "I don’t think we need the ability to destroy the world five times over."
He has sought to limit spending, particularly for the Long Range Stand-Off weapon, a nuclear cruise missile that Smith points out is unnecessary.
"Congress is parochial as ever when it comes to defense policy," he said. "We don’t have the money that some would like to have."
Smith made a similar argument in an article published in Foreign Policy last month.
"This nuclear investment would actually undermine US security by driving an emerging global nuclear arms race, undercutting American credibility in the pursuit of nuclear nonproliferation," he wrote.
"With over 5,000 deployed and stockpiled nuclear weapons – and thousands more awaiting dismantlement – we have a nuclear force stacked with redundancy."
One of the chief proponents for increased nuclear spending is US Senate Armed Services Chairman John McCain (R-AZ). In March, the senator said such measures were necessary in light of "Russian aggression."
"We must,” McCain said, “continue the ongoing modernization of US nuclear forces and make sure that NATO’s nuclear deterrence forces are survivable, well-exercised, and increasingly ready to counter Russian nuclear doctrine, which calls for the first use of nuclear weapons."
